Symbols & Motifs in Fahrenheit 451

• English
• Secondary Education
• Age 11

Motifs & Symbols in Fahrenheit 451

Motifs 

• Motif: an important and usually recurring (repeating) salient thematic element (idea) especially : a dominant or central concept

What is a key paradox in this society's values?

1. Desire for comfort versus intellectual growth
2. Tradition versus change
3. Unity versus division

How does censorship create a paradox?

1. Fosters open dialogue
2. Promotes ignorance while seeking happiness
3. Encourages creativity and innovation

01:17

What paradox exists in Fahrenheit 451?

1. Freedom versus control
2. Wealth versus poverty
3. Happiness versus sadness
4. Knowledge versus ignorance

Other Motifs: Religion

• The book Montag steals - is a copy of the Bible. 
• Significance of religion/lack thereof - discussed Montag meets with Faber    
• Montag joins Granger's group, as the keeper of the Book of Ecclesiastes, 
• The novel ends with Montag recalling lines from both Ecc. and Rev. as the group begins their walk back towards the city.

Other Motifs: Nature

• Nature imagery represents innocence and enlightenment. 
• Nature is a natural counterpart to technology (Natural vs Unnatural)
• Bradbury uses nature imagery to emphasize things that represent a change from the norms  - nature is perverted with creations such as the Mechanical Hound, or the electronic-eyed snake
• Montag’s interactions with Clarisse are riddled with references to nature, creating shifting moods each time Clarisse enters and exits  

Symbols

• Symbol: something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance

How is fire used by the firemen?

1. To burn books
2. To cook food
3. To create art
4. To enforce conformity

What does Montag discover about fire?

1. It has no meaning
2. It symbolizes transformation
3. It is purely destructive
4. It can bring enlightenment

01:18

What does fire represent in Fahrenheit 451?

1. Censorship and oppression
2. Destruction of knowledge
3. Hope and renewal
4. Unity among people

What does the condition of blood reflect?

1. Absence of emotion
2. A thriving culture
3. A lifeless society
4. A vibrant society

How easily is blood replaced in the society?

1. No significant change
2. Causes major change
3. Easily replaced
4. Difficult to replace

01:16

What does blood symbolize in Fahrenheit 451?

1. Vitality and energy
2. Lifelessness and soullessness
3. Life and passion
4. Lack of passion

Other Symbols: Salamander & Phoenix

• symbol for the firemen in Fahrenheit 451. 
• The salamander and the phoenix - associated with fire since ancient times. Salamanders were believed to be born in fire and could shoot fire from its mouth. Ancient mythology includes stories of the phoenix, devoured by flames only to be reborn in its ashes. The phoenix symbolizes rebirth, - Captain Beatty is killed by fire, allowing Montag to be reborn in his ashes. 
• At the end of the novel, Granger looks into the fire and recalls the image of the phoenix, comparing it to humankind.

Other Symbols: Seashell Radio

• most often seen in Mildred’s ears. The Seashells are small radio devices nearly everyone in Montag’s society wears to receive constant broadcasts of information. 
• Seashells symbolize the overt government control of society. 
• Screens provide a regular barrage of media, but the Seashells are seen to be worn nearly 24/7 broadcasting a constant stream of media working to distract people from thinking or clearly notice the reality around them. 
• When Faber gives Montag a Seashell that he had modified for two-way communication, it symbolizes a break from the conformity that the government tries to maintain in society.

Motifs

Symbols

What is the purpose of using motifs?

What is the purpose of using symbols?

How well do you understand the concepts of motifs and symbolism?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Group Activity

1. In groups of 3-4 select one of the following symbols
2. The Sieve and the Sand/ Mechanical hound/ Old woman/ Mirrors/ Birds/ Captain Beatty/ Mildred/ Montag/ Books
3. What is this object/ person a symbol of?
4. How does it add meaning to the story?
5. Comment on the significance of this symbol.

Be ready to present in our Next Class!!