critical look into 451

8/13/2019 Critical Look Into 451

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Janet Tran

Mrs. Cox

English 281

22 November 2013

Critical Look into 451

Individuals can all view one subject, but each see a totally different picture than the

person next to them. Ray BradburysFahrenheit 451presents a thrilling read about a futuristic

world where people consider novels as taboo. In writing this novel, Bradbury paints a terrifying

possibility could happen in society today or the near future. Bradbury had many sides and

reasons in writingFahrenheit 451 that many critics have interpreted in numerous ways. In one

interesting interpretation ofFahrenheit 451, Bradbury subtly ingrains the theme of a cycle of

rebirth through different methods.

Most importantly, Bradbury hints at this cycle of rebirth through his allusions and

symbols scattered throughout the plotline. If someone looks beyond the obvious satiric criticism

of modern society and mass media, he or she may notice Bradburys insinuation that the nature

of life is cyclical and we are currently at the bottom of an intellectual cycle (Sisario 1)in his use

of allusions and symbols. The state of the population has degenerated to this new low through

the simplification of intellectual challenges [that] stifle independent thought by catering to and

encouraging intellectual apathy (McGiveron 3). The symbol of the Phoenix on Beattyshat and

Beatty himself support the idea of a cycle of rebirth and rejection of independent thought. Beatty

had knowledge of the world before, though he did not know how to use it. This symbolized the

refusal of the society to use the knowledge, therefore driving it to the low swing in the natural

cycle. In accordance with the theme of the Phoenix, Beatty burned to death to symbolize a new


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intellectual beginning for Montag and possibly the rest of society. Bradburys biblical allusions

also hint at the theme of cyclic rebirth throughout the novel such as the mention of the Testament

and the biblical reference to the Lilies of Field, which attests to the faith in the renewal cycles of

nature. Bradbury creates a more in-depth, philosophical literary work through these types of

details. These clever allusions and symbols allow the reader to get a sense of the deeper message

hidden between the words ofFahrenheit 451.


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Zipes, Jack. "Mass Degradation of Humanity and Massive Contradictions in Bradbury's Vision

of America inFahrenheit 451."No Place Else: Explorations in Utopian and Dystopian

Fiction. Ed. Eric S. Rabkin, Martin H. Greenberg, and Joseph D. Olander. Southern

Illinois University Press, 1983. 182-198. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed.

Deborah A. Stanley. Vol. 98. Detroit: Gale Research, 1997.Literature Resource Center.

Web. 17 Nov. 2013.

critical look into 451

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