Would you rather have awareness of the world around you or just be completely oblivious? In Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, you clearly don't have a choice. Bradbury uses figurative language, symbolism, and biblical references in the book to express Bradbury’s concern about how powerful governments manipulate citizens. Bradbury uses figurative language to express his concern about how powerful governments manipulate citizens. For instance, when everyone was watching the chase, the announcer says, “Police suggest entire population in the Elm Terrace area do as follows: Everyone in every house in every street open a front or rear door or look from the windows… He imagined thousands on thousands of faces peering into yards, into alleys, and into the sky, faces hid by curtains, pale, night-frightened faces, like grey animals peering from electric caves, faces with grey colourless eyes, grey tongues and grey thoughts looking out through the numb flesh of the face“ (131-132). The figurative language used in the context is a simile, comparing the people looking outside to grey animals, with grey faces, that are mindless and obedient. The color gray is referred to the blandness people have become used to. Everyone is grey, dissatisfied and ordinary. Just like if they were like mindless pets, obeying what they were being told to do by their owner. The government is the owner of the pet (people), being forced to obey the government's commands. Bradbury uses symbolism to express his concern about how powerful governments manipulate citizens. For instance, when Granger turns on the portable TV, “a man turned a corner… The helicopter light shot down a dozen brilliant pillars that built a cage all about the man… The innocent man stood bewildered… He glanced up at the sky and the wailing sirens… ‘Montag, don't move!’… The victim was seized by the Hound… Blackout. Silence. Darkness… an announcer on the dark screen said, ‘The search is over, Montag is dead; a crime against society has been avenged" (142). The pursuit of the innocent man symbolizes the government's power that it holds over citizens. The government depicts what they want the citizens to understand, instead of the real truth. The government knew that if
Bradbury uses allusions numerous times throughout the novel. Bradbury alludes to the biblical reference to sheep in the bible. For example, as Beatty takes possession of the book Montag returns to him, he says, “the crisis is past and all is well, the sheep returns to the fold. We’re all sheep who have strayed at times” (Bradbury 105). This quote explains how Captain Beatty believes Montag is betraying his position as a fireman and his place in society because he has strayed from the typical way of life in the novel. But because Montag returns to the firehouse he is returning to the herd. This quote is similar to one within the bible because it states how people, like sheep, have gone astray. The significance of this literary devices is to
Bradbury writes “He stood entranced, not unlike a night moth, stunned by the illumination, and then drawn toward it.” With this simile, the man is now transfixed by a bright light and unable to move. This is a major shift in the setting and feel because the reader now feels an anxious or agitated feeling instead of the previous calm and content feeling. This simile leaves the reader wondering who is behind this transfixing light and what will that person do with the protagonist. Bradbury uses this suspense and wondering to allow the reader to really feel what the protagonist is
The tone of the excerpt from Ray Bradbury’s book Fahrenheit 451 is desperate, as portrayed through two literary devices. Figurative language is used to express an idea by utilizing a unique set of words. “ He (Montag) felt his smile slide away, fold over and down on itself like tallow skin, like the stuff of a fantastic candle burning too long and now collapsing and now blown out” (Bradbury 9) is a hyperbole. The previous quote’s meaning was that the smile disappeared, as it was too happy for Montag to handle; but it was wonderful nonetheless. By stating that the fantastic candle had blown out, means that Montag was sorrowful to have his smile leave and, therefore, wanted it back. The quote his accurately depicts to the tone. Descriptions used
In the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray bradbury, Bradbury shows that behind the destructive fire and the burning of books, citizens believe that the key to happiness is ignorance. In the story, the citizens of the dystopia don’t question what is hidden from them, but the main character of the story ponders what he is told and discovers truth and happiness through the knowledge gained from reading stolen books.
Figurative language is powerful, and Bradbury is not afraid of a metaphor. He uses an excessive amount to orchestrate
In Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 there are those who defend the cause of language; those who attempt to destroy the value of words and those who are victims of the abuse of power over language and thought, wielded by the government. The fireman, Montag, attempts to use language as weapon against the entrenched ignorance of his dystopian world. Conversely, the Fire Chief Beatty, uses the power of language as a weapon against those who would free humanity from the tyranny of ignorance. In the scene where Montag reads poetry to ‘the ladies’, their subconscious response to the poem ‘Dover Beach’ reveals the capacity of imagery to transform a listener. Mildred Montag and her “bunch” of ladies are
Ray Bradbury’s use of similes and metaphors to compare books to birds is key to the connection of the phoenix. The comparison shows how knowledge can spread given “wings” or word of mouth. In the world of Fahrenheit 451, knowledge is interrupted by the inclination of technology. Bradbury’s figurative language is similar to a phoenix because of its ability to burn and come back alive. In Granger’s perspective, he hopes that society will change even though he knows that society is stubborn.
Symbolism is a major literary device that helps people see a book through symbols that often have a deeper meaning. A symbol is used to explain something in a different way, using images, objects, etc. instead of just saying it in words. As you search for a deeper meaning in a work of art or literature it can help you understand the authors intentions and the deeper significance of a work. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, symbols help reinforce the major themes of the book.
The author Bradbury uses a lot of literary devices in his novel. The most obvious literary technique is a dialogue. Throughout the book, Bradbury builds up the setting
In the beginning of the novel, Ray Bradbury focuses on figurative language to convey his theme. Throughout the first part, Bradbury uses many forms of figurative language such similes, metaphors, and irony. One example of figurative language is on page 56, with the quote “there was no longer need of firemen for the old purposes. They were given a new job, as custodians of our peace of mind.” (Bradbury 56). This quote is a metaphor because it compares the new job
Thomas Jefferson once said, “That government is best which governs least…”. In Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian novel written by Ray Bradbury, the government puts extreme laws in place to “protect” the people. Except, that these laws keep the citizens from knowing the truth. The good laws like speed limit aren’t enforced and the things that shouldn’t matter, like owning a book, are so strongly enforced, that if it is you that is found to own a book, your house will be burnt down. The government keeps everyone in check by censoring the citizens. During the 1950’s, the entire country was in fear of communism. There was a blacklist of authors, actors, and public figures. No one would hire them or buy their work. Bradbury wanted to warn the country of what could happen if it continued being ignorant , and by using pathos, rhetorical questions, and repetition, he effectively conveyed his purpose.
In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury tells the story of a dystopic world where books are burned by firemen because they are prohibited. By presenting this, he makes a point on how books are essential and at the same time warning readers. He was trying to say,” If this happens, then this will happen.” He visualized this society in this book, based on his society, which is parallel to our society now. In the dystopic Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury examines his society at the time, and he admonishes readers about possible aspects of future societies, especially mass media, technological advancement, and peoples’ mental health.
Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451 presents readers with multiple themes. In the fictional society of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, books are banned and firemen create fires instead of putting them out. Bradbury portrays the society as dystopian. Bradbury crafted the novel to be interpreted intellectually. The characters claim to be happy. However, the reader can conclude otherwise. Bradbury creates a question for the reader to answer: Is ignorance bliss or does the ability to think for oneself create happiness? Bradbury shows the importance of self-reflection, happiness and the ability to think for oneself as well as isolation due to technology, and the importance of nature and animals. In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury conveys the stories’ themes through characterization and symbols.
The world of burning books, talking parlor walls, and speeding cars captivated the readers who read Ray Bradbury’s dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451. Through the use of figurative language, Bradbury creates a complex, yet a dull-minded, society where literature and human philosophy are degenerating. Bradbury illustrates this society through the protagonist, Guy Montag, who develops and changes his mentality on his society throughout the novel after realizing the truth behind it. However, Bradbury does not only paint the truth about Montag’s society, but he also conveys a representation of our society through the media of Fahrenheit 451. The media of Fahrenheit 451 displays a rather disillusioned, ‘perfect’ image of how this society portrays itself to be even though it is the opposite.
In Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, he created a sense of irony making the novel more intriguing. The irony keeps the story interesting. The government does everything in its power to keep the people mindless. Knowledge and freedom cannot exist together.