Fahrenheit 451 Phoenix Symbolism Essay

Symbolism of the Phoenix in Fahrenheit 451 Throughout history countless authors have written stories detailing the intricacies of human nature. Shakespeare, Dickens, and Hemingway all detailed the different characteristics specific to humans. Ray Bradbury addresses several facets of humanity in his novel Fahrenheit 451. In this novel, the mythical phoenix symbolizes the cyclic and transformative nature of humanity on an individual and societal level. The phoenix was specifically chosen for its symbolism due to its mystical properties. Montag’s mental state conveys the change of an individual, and the raucous city demonstrates society’s alteration over time. These two aspects of the novel are equivalent to the life cycle of a phoenix and show

The first rendition of the phoenix dates back to ancient Egypt where it took the form of a heron (Broek 15). However, over the course of many centuries the phoenix has developed into the fiery bird as we know it today. Despite its changing appearance, one thing has remained constant, when a phoenix dies it is engulfed in flames and a new phoenix is reborn from its ashes. In the novel, Grangers describes, “There was a silly damn bird called a Phoenix back before Christ, every few hundred years he built a pyre and burnt himself up. But every time he burnt himself up he sprang out of the ashes, he got himself born all over again” (Bradbury 156). Because of its ability to resurrect, the phoenix has become a time-honored symbol of transformation and rebirth. By using the phoenix, Bradbury was able to convey the complexity of humans through a well-known figure in modern society. This ultimately allows a larger portion of his readers to understand his overarching themes and

It follows his mind as it awakens, thrives, collapses, and is reborn. This cycle is witnessed as the story unfolds. As the novel starts, the protagonist is introduced immediately before his awakening. Guy Montag was born decades before the novel’s start. However, the birth which the novel follows isn’t a physical one, it’s mental. First, Montag was not conscience of his surroundings. Like everyone else, he was a slave to cheap thrills, fast pleasures, and mindless entertainment. In fact, he loved his job burning books, “It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed” (Bradbury 1). Then, his new mind began to stir when he met Clarisse. She caused him to stop, look around, and become aware of the little intricacies all around him. From here, she guides him to start to questioning very basic things such as his own happiness. Likewise, his mind is new to the world and his thoughts are vulnerable, much in the same way a child’s is. By having Montag awaken so late in his life, Bradbury is showing that human nature isn’t predictable. People are liable to change at any point in time. Furthermore, it express Montag isn’t particularly special in his ability to become aware. All he needed was a push in the right direction; Clarisse was the truly remarkable