In Fahrenheit 451, the author Ray Bradbury uses fire as an adapting theme throughout the novel. As the protagonist Montag changes as a character, so does the symbolic meaning of fire. Throughout the story, fire represents power, destruction, sorrow and ultimately community and warmth.
When the reader is first introduced to Montag, he sees fire as a source of power and the author conveys fire in a positive light, “It was a pleasure to burn...to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history” (3). Montag seems confident and carefree in the first few pages of the novel, satisfied with his days work of burning history. Never does it seem that Montag is skeptical of what he is doing. That is, until page 38 when Montag views fire as capable of causing horrible destruction and sorrow. On page 38 Montag has to burn a woman’s books that are so precious to her that she is willing to die with them. When Montag witnesses the woman set fire to herself and her house, he regrets what he has done and starts to view fire in a negative way. …show more content…
Montag again demonstrates the passion for burning he shows at the beginning of the novel. The difference this time is that Montag knows the purpose for burning. He is not simply destroying with fire as a brainwashed member of society, but for himself, to destroy his past life and start again. The renewal of Montag mirrors the rebirth of a Phoenix. At a certain point in a Phoenix's life, they burn themselves and are reborn from the ashes. Montag burning his house symbolizes Montag forgetting his past life and starting over like a
When the reader is first introduced to Montag, he sees fire as a source of power and the author conveys fire in a positive light, “It was a pleasure to burn...to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history” (3). Montag seems confident and carefree in the first few pages of the novel, satisfied with his days work of burning history. Never does it seem that Montag is skeptical of what he is doing. That is, until page 38 when Montag views fire as capable of causing horrible destruction and sorrow. On page 38 Montag has to burn a woman’s books that are so precious to her that she is willing to die with them. When Montag witnesses the woman set fire to herself and her house, he regrets what he has done and starts to view fire in a negative way. …show more content…
Montag again demonstrates the passion for burning he shows at the beginning of the novel. The difference this time is that Montag knows the purpose for burning. He is not simply destroying with fire as a brainwashed member of society, but for himself, to destroy his past life and start again. The renewal of Montag mirrors the rebirth of a Phoenix. At a certain point in a Phoenix's life, they burn themselves and are reborn from the ashes. Montag burning his house symbolizes Montag forgetting his past life and starting over like a