Literary Devices Used In Fahrenheit 451

Literary devices are techniques of expression that authors use to convey meaning to their story. When used with proper skill, these devices can bring copiousness and clarity to the content (Duckart). Certain literary devices can be applied to both fiction and nonfiction books. This essay will show how Ray Bradbury, the author of Fahrenheit 451, uses symbolism throughout his novel to provide the reader with a better grasp at deeper understanding and meaning to his novel. More often than not, symbolisms are not obvious and are easily looked over; however, when analyzed in detail, they add new and important dimensions of meaning to the story line. There are many symbolisms used throughout Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, in this paper I will discuss

Some of the fore mentioned symbols are very well known to those whom have read the novel more than once. To others, they are milder, which cause individuals to easily miss the connection upon an initial reading of the story. I know I missed many, if not all, literary devices when I was assigned the novel as a summer reading project before I began the eighth grade. Each of these symbolisms have a deeper meaning that we will discuss in greater detail throughout this paper.

Bradbury’s novel is based on books being burned, I felt it was only right to open my paper with the analyzation and discussion of Bradbury’s symbolism of fire, which is used throughout the entire novel. Bradbury opens his novel with an impressive thought that is sure to captivate many readers, “‘It was a pleasure to burn’” (1). Montag took pleasure to witness things burn. To see things blackened and change symbolizes darkness and eradication. The opening section characterizes the

Webster’s Dictionary defines hearth as not only “the lowest section of a furnace; especially : the section of a furnace on which the ore or metal is exposed to the flame or heat” but also defined as “home; fireside” (Woolf). It is the traditional symbol for home which “gives us warmth and brings out the constructive side of fire” (Rajita). Moreover, the salamander is known as a creature that lives in fire and “not only survives, but thrives (Rajita).” Bradbury makes this clear connection for readers as he has use the salamander as a symbol of the firemen, and the name of their firetrucks. However, digging deeper, salamanders once were proclaimed to live in fire without being demolished by the flames, just as Guy Montag believes he can as well. Montag, has a salamander on his arm which is symbolic in not only his belief of the salamanders’ ability to live in and through the extreme temperatures of the fire, but also in his belief that he can as well (Dolton). The fact that Montag takes great pleasure in his job of burning books, and gets enormous satisfaction in a bizarre way defines his character. Both of these symbols, the hearth and salamander are connected to fire but have a meager difference in other uses of fire throughout the