In Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag, the protagonist, learns of the problems in the society he is living in and begins to rebel against its standards. Eventually he is forced to leave everything he thought he cared about, his wife, job as a fireman and friends behind in order to do what he discovers is the right path for him. Seeing a stark contrast between the parts of his life that revolve around fire and the parts that include water help him make and reinforce these decisions throughout his journey by providing contrast.
Fire is one element that is always a second, a strike of a match, a flick of a lighter, away, and it aids in creating a warm, dimly lit, pleasant environment. Fire can be summoned, created from next to …show more content…
Fire cannot be easily controlled, and once out of control, it’s difficult to regain power of it. Montag and the other firemen learn that no one has a monopoly over the control of fire when they encounter the woman who burns herself rather than have them burn her books (40). By taking away the authority from the firemen, she forces Montag to realize that they aren’t the only ones with the force of fire behind them. This is shown later in the books when Montag turns the fire hose on Beatty, the fire chief (116). When someone takes away this power or makes someone lose control of their element of comfort, the whole situation can spiral out of control quickly. This society is often portrayed as fragile as if it is made of wax. Faber says that the people enjoy their world similar to a “wax moon face” (83), poreless and smooth, too perfect. Wax is a very meltable substance and fire burns wax of society. When Mildred finds out Montag is breaking the law, she reacted like a “wax doll melting in its own heat” (76). This is a terrific example of how two things that we love so much, the fire of society and the perfection of wax, can destroy each other. Later, Beatty brings up the man who flew too close to the sun and “burnt his damn wings” (113). The things we use against others, can be used against us. Even the sun, though without it …show more content…
Water can be warm or cool and is rarely associated with discomfort. It’s often a leisurely, relaxing element.
Montag describes the water as “very real” and mild in contrast to the fiery, upbeat society he left behind (140). Water is also an archetype of rebirth and renewal. When Montag leaves the stifling society behind, he goes by the river which reinforces a rebirth scenario connected with his departure. Though water doesn’t play an extensive role in this book, its absence throughout most of it, speaks volumes about the society. In our current society, water is a life force, and must be in this group of people as well, but it goes unmentioned. It’s important to have a balance or the society will veer off
Fire is one element that is always a second, a strike of a match, a flick of a lighter, away, and it aids in creating a warm, dimly lit, pleasant environment. Fire can be summoned, created from next to …show more content…
Fire cannot be easily controlled, and once out of control, it’s difficult to regain power of it. Montag and the other firemen learn that no one has a monopoly over the control of fire when they encounter the woman who burns herself rather than have them burn her books (40). By taking away the authority from the firemen, she forces Montag to realize that they aren’t the only ones with the force of fire behind them. This is shown later in the books when Montag turns the fire hose on Beatty, the fire chief (116). When someone takes away this power or makes someone lose control of their element of comfort, the whole situation can spiral out of control quickly. This society is often portrayed as fragile as if it is made of wax. Faber says that the people enjoy their world similar to a “wax moon face” (83), poreless and smooth, too perfect. Wax is a very meltable substance and fire burns wax of society. When Mildred finds out Montag is breaking the law, she reacted like a “wax doll melting in its own heat” (76). This is a terrific example of how two things that we love so much, the fire of society and the perfection of wax, can destroy each other. Later, Beatty brings up the man who flew too close to the sun and “burnt his damn wings” (113). The things we use against others, can be used against us. Even the sun, though without it …show more content…
Water can be warm or cool and is rarely associated with discomfort. It’s often a leisurely, relaxing element.
Montag describes the water as “very real” and mild in contrast to the fiery, upbeat society he left behind (140). Water is also an archetype of rebirth and renewal. When Montag leaves the stifling society behind, he goes by the river which reinforces a rebirth scenario connected with his departure. Though water doesn’t play an extensive role in this book, its absence throughout most of it, speaks volumes about the society. In our current society, water is a life force, and must be in this group of people as well, but it goes unmentioned. It’s important to have a balance or the society will veer off