Fahrenheit 451

For a book written some 60 years ago the symbols and themes in Ray Bradbury's, Fahrenheit 451 are strikingly similar to that of today's contemporary western world, which is dominated by technology and entertainment. The text uses several different symbols and themes to paint a picture of society in which people's priorities are mixed up, where the characters are consumed by a constant bombardment of entertainment and images and given little time to deliberate on what is real and natural. The use of fire is used in a number of different ways, to present different meanings and messages. On the other hand water is a common motif in the text and is used as a cleansing device to rid Montag of the consequences of his wrongdoing. Bradbury often uses naturalises objects in an artificial way; for example the items known as 'seashells' are what today's world would describe as an 'mp3' device and the mechanical hound is also a motif within the text whilst looking nothing like an actual hound. The use of environmental objects with an artificial twist represents the how the dystopian society has its priorities mixed up in terms of balance between a natural environment and artificial environment.

The use of fire is a very prominent symbol in the text and it has a dual meaning; it is used to as an artificial tool for destruction as well as a symbol for warmth. For the most part, Guy sees fire as evil and believes it's purpose is for solely for devastation. Two instances of this are when Montag's house is burned and when the city is destroyed by fire. "If you can't solve it... burn it!" is a very typical statement about the mindset of society in the text. They have a total disregard for others and they use fire to eliminate their woes and problems. Moreover, Captain Beatty teaches Montag that 'fire is bright and fire is clean' and that it is a solution to their problems. The culture is one which doesn't want to address its problems and that if 'a problem gets too burdensome, then into the furnace with it.' Whilst this view is initially seen as a negative by the reader, an image of the escapees sitting around a bonfire in the latter part of the book creates a different view of fire from Montag's perspective. They are all being warmed by the fire and whilst they are still burning books, they are doing it for positive reasons - to protect themselves as well as the messages that lay within those books. Fire can be used in many ways; and the text teaches that it is in the control of human beings about how they wish to utilize this powerful device - whether it is for destruction or warmth.

In contrast to the image of fire, the use of water symbolises the cleansing of what is wrong and provides Montag with a fresh start. In the early stages of the text, when Montag is still consumed by the shallow society he lives in, he meets Clarisse. She tells him how she likes to walk in the rain and how sometimes she tilts her head back and drinks the water which to her, 'tastes just like wine.' At the time Montag is bemused by this action and cannot comprehend this, as he has not yet broken free from the chains of the social norm. As Montag begins to change throughout the narrative, there are several instances in which Guy cleanses himself after he feels he has done wrong. This is most notable after he kills Captain Beatty and finally escapes from the government and 'Montag [was] floating in a sudden