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If you were going to guess what one thing in Fahrenheit 451 was symbolic, what would you guess? You want a clue? It’s hot. You want another clue? It’s on practically every page of Ray Bradbury’s novel. Jenny has more on fire in this Recap.

Video Transcription:

Let’s face it. Fahrenheit 451 is about as blatant a political statement as you’re going to find. That’s why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of this book’s symbols is as obvious as its message.

It’s red, it’s hot, and it’s on practically every page of this book. What is it?

Fire, of course!

But what does it stand for? I thought you might ask. Fire stands for—no pun intended—mankind’s burning need for meaning.

Let me explain.

Remember that during the first half of the story, fire is used as a destructive force. It’s used to destroy books, to destroy meaning—and as a weapon against real thought.

But after Montag turns his back on his old life, he encounters fire again. First, in the form of the flame-thrower, which he uses to win his freedom. And then in the form of a campfire. With people connecting around it.

Remember Montag’s reaction to that campfire: “He had never in his life thought that it [in other words, fire] could give as well as take.”

Ultimately, it’s fire in this book that brings Montag to meaning. It brings him into contact with books. It brings him freedom from soullessness and thoughtlessness. And it brings him new understanding—not just of fire itself, but also of human relationships, connection, and knowledge.