Quote: "With his symbolic helmet numbered 451… sky red and yellow and
black." (Bradbury 1)
Symbolism: Fire symbolizes destruction in this story. Montag uses fire
to burn all the books and he tries to destroy all the books using
fire.
Theme: In this story, books burn at 451°F. 451°F is a high temperature
and Montag is a hard-working fireman. Even though the burning
temperature is high, he keeps trying to burn the book.
Connection: In science, water boils at 100°C. The boiling point of the
water is 100°C. In this story, books burn at 451°F. Therefore, the
burning point of the books is 451°F. Water and books both obtain heat
and lose the appearance of themselves.
Quote: "This machine pumped all of the blood from the body and
replaced it with fresh blood and serum." (Bradbury 8)
Symbolism: In the story, the blood symbolizes a human being’s soul. If
a person does not have an adequate amount of blood, the person can
die. He or she would not have a soul. For example, Mildred did not
have a soul when she fainted.
Theme: The blood can revive one’s life, such as Mildred’s life.
Connection: Biologically, overdosing will give a lot of bad effects to
the blood system. It will make the blood dirty, and it may could not
pass through the blood vessels. Overdosing can attack someone’s life.
However, if the dirty blood is replaced with a new and clean blood,
then the fainted person may wake up and have the soul.
Quote: “With the Brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world” (Bradbury 1). Symbolism: Symbolizes the Firemen’s tool for burning. Adds a negative vibe to the act of censorship. Theme: Censorship sometimes involves destructive and violent actions or events. It can also be viewed negatively from the ones being censored. Connection: Biblically, the Snake symbolizes evilness and chaos but also life and cure. There’s an ambivalence. As we can see, to the ones supporting the censorship acts, in their perspective, it can be a cure, medicine or hope. However, from the ones experiencing the censorship, it will be felt like a disaster or punishment.
Quote: “There was only the girl walking with him now,her face bright
as snow in the moonlight, and he knew she was working his questions
around, seeking the best answers she could possibly give.” (Bradbury
4)
Symbolism: In the story, light symbolizes Clarisse because she was a
light and hope that suddenly came into Montag’s life. She was a light
who gave Montag thoughts about the society and humanity.
Theme: The theme associated with light is hope and realization.
Connection: In the Bible, light is represented as guidance, providing
a path for the righteousness and wisdom to those who seek it. Since
Clarisse make Montag wonder about if his actions are right thing to
do, she can be represented as light.
Quote: "You can't guarantee things like that! After all, when we had
all the books we needed, we still insisted on finding the highest
cliff to jump off. But we do need a breather. We do need knowledge.
And perhaps in a thousand years, we might pick smaller cliffs to jump
off. The books are to remind us what asses and fools we are.”
(Bradbury 82)
Symbolism: Book symbolizes knowledge. In this text, it reveals that
people should continue reading books so that they gain knowledge and
do not make stupid decisions. It gives an idea of importance of
ongoing education and thinking for a better society.
Theme: The theme associated with books is the importance of education
and power of critical thinking.
Connection: Critical thinking applies to history. For example, because
of NEwton’s critical thinking toward the world, it developed the
understanding of the physical world. Newton’s question and observation
of gravity laid the foundation of modern mechanics, which shows the
importance of thinking, knowledge.
Quote: “The river was very real; it held him comfortably and gave him
the time at last, the leisure, to consider this month, this year, and
a lifetime of years. He listened to his heart slow. His thoughts
stopped rushing with his blood.” (Bradbury 134)
Symbolism: The river in the text symbolizes the rebirth of Montag. The
time he stopped in the river gave him a leisure time to think of his
past years and gave him a new perspective to look at the world. Montag
going into the river seems to reveal Montag entering a new life after
his reflection.
Theme: The theme associated with the river is the time and reflection
of one’s life.
Connection: Rebirth in the history, such as Renaissance can be
connected to this text. Renaissance is also known as ‘rebirth,’ that
many scholars and thinkers rediscovered and reinterpreted the world,
which eventually led to the shift of nature and humanism.