Salamanders In Fahrenheit 451

191 Words1 Pages
The first part of Fahrenheit 451 is called “The Hearth and the Salamander” for several reasons. The reader learns about Montag's job as a fireman and since a hearth sits in front of a fire at home, the hearth represents Montag's everyday life working in front of flames. “It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed” (1) In legend, salamanders are believed to withstand fire, and be able to put fires out. The salamander is used as a symbol for the firemen, and their fire trucks. In Fahrenheit 451 the character of the old lady can also be symbolized as the salamander. She died with her books in the fire instead of leaving them to burn. “The woman knelt among the books, touched the drenched leather and cardboard,