In the novel Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, the symbol of fire represents Guy Montag from power and then hope and change as Montag changes throughout the novel. Montag changes from someone that wanted to be powerful and destroy books to someone that wanted to save books and to learn how to read. During Montag’s transformation, society also changes as people start teaching others. Initial fire represents Montag a symbol of destruction and power, but as Montag slowly begins to understand that knowledge is so important fire represents hope and change.
At the beginning of the novel, Bradbury shows us by using figurative language that burning is an addiction and for Montag. Montag had a strong desire for watching things burn such as burning books. He shows us his addiction for fire by stating “It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. “(1) This quote expresses the wonderful feeling Montag gets from burning. Montag feels proud and a sense of accomplishment in burning. Montag is a firefighter but his job is to start fires to burn books instead of putting them out. Bradbury uses symbolism with the fireman who wear the number 451 on their helmets. 451 degrees is the temperature needed to burn books. Montag is proud of his job and what he does. He doesn’t question what or why he is burning books.
Montag begins to first change when he meets his neighbor Clarisse and they become friends. Clarisse asks him questions that make him think about his life. She also enjoys books and enjoys life. Montag realizes after meeting Clarisse that he is not happy and the world around him is not perfect. Through meeting Clarisse, Montag gains a desire to learn and is curious about the world around him. Clarisse open Montag’s eyes to discover the world around him. Montag and the other 451 Firefighters go to an old lady’s house she doesn’t want her books to burn and she is willing to die with them. Montag tries to convince her that her books aren’t worth her life. But after he sees how important they are to her he feel sympathetic and guilty.
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Montag changes again when he is walking by the train tracks. There is a fire burning that he sees. “It was not burning, it was warming.” (1) Montag no longer sees the fire as destructive. He sees the fire as warming. The symbol of fire has gone from power to hope.
Montag makes an extreme change through his experiences in the book. He develops from a destructive and careless fireman who hates books to a person who recognises the importance of knowledge and the power of books. The symbol of fire that started off symbolizing Montag’s feeling of power of burning books changes to represent hope of saving books. As the character of Montag changes throughout the book
