Ray Bradbury's Use Of Symbolism In Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury once stated, “I never consciously place symbolism in my writing. That would be a self-conscious exercise and self-consciousness is defeating to any creative act … During a lifetime, one saves up information which collects itself around centers in the mind; these automatically become symbols on a subliminal level and need only be summoned in the heat of writing.” (The Paris Review). Bradbury’s may not have consciously placed symbolism in Fahrenheit 451, but his use of symbolism throughout the story allows the reader to relate back to their most basic instincts, all while seeing a deeper meaning to what they are really looking at.

Fire is one of man’s oldest tools, and Bradbury’s use of it as a symbol can be viewed in many different

Blake’s house, and she refuses to leave. Mrs. Blake quotes Latimer, “‘Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall see this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out’” (Fahrenheit 451, 33). Undoubtedly, this quote sparked the reexamination of how Montag looked at the fire. Fire, now captured the symbol of life, knowledge and strength through the candle. The symbol of fire continues to grow and develop, like Montag in the story. Eventually he reaches the outskirts of town and finds the flickering flames of the fire to almost be like “winking eyes” (Fahrenheit 451, 139). The fire has gone from a destructive device, used only to burn books, and had transformed into something that now has a life. When Montag says, “winking eyes,” it shows how the symbol of fire now has a life. The fire was now giving something back to him, providing him with the heat to keep him warm, instead of the destructive behavior he had only known it to

To illustrate, Montag was having a conversation with Clarisse and she mentions how so many people are afraid of firemen, but how she viewed Montag as just a man. After Clarisse makes that statement, Montag used her eyes indirectly as a mirror, “He saw himself in her eyes, suspended in two shining drops of bright water, himself dark and tiny…,” the use of this symbol assist the reader in understanding Montag’s path towards an increased awareness of whom he has become as a person (Fahrenheit 451, 5). Clarisse provided a positive reflection for Montag to view himself; however, the symbolism of the mirror takes on a different meaning after Montag has a conversation with Mildred. For example, one evening, Mildred and Montag were having a conversation and Montag rolls over in his bed, staring at a wall, and then he says to himself, “how like a mirror, too, her face” (Fahrenheit 451, 8). This was an important conversation, in which Bradbury makes a direct reference to looking at a mirror, but the symbolism behind his statement meant so much more. It showed how his wife, by all means was nothing more than an empty shell, much like that rest of their