How has Ray Bradbury's repetitive use of the word "books" in Fahrenheit 451 contributed to its figurative meaning throughout the text, and what are the books symbolic of in the story?
The word books in the story Fahrenheit 451 had a lot of figurative meaning as well as a lot of literal meaning. In the book, Faber one of the major characters in the book helped to explain the figurative meaning of the importance of books. He told Montag once that "it's not the books you need, it's some of the things that once were in books"(Bradbury 82). This demonstrates figurative meaning because he is basically saying that books aren’t as important as the knowledge that they contain. Thinking about it in the context of the story, the people in Montag’s story did more than just take books away, they took away their opportunity to learn new things, gain different perspectives and be able to see the world in a different light. Faber also further explained why books were hated a feared in his time. He said that “they show the pores in the face of life. The comfortable people want only wax moon faces, poreless, hairless, [and] expressionless” (Bradbury 83).This also shows how the books were symbols of wisdom and creativity. This quote showed that during this time seemed to just want to continue to live the same boring life that they were used to, and the easiest way to achieve this was to get rid of the one thing that will help to bring about change in the society.
Indeed, the word “books” in Fahrenheit 451 represented various topics in the novel. As Miracle stated, the literal books were not important; rather, the stories and information they contain are what make them so valuable. Montag enunciated this truth by explaining, “…and there on the floor, their covers torn off and spilled out like swan feathers, the incredible books that looked so silly and really not worth bothering with, for these were nothing but black type and yellowed paper and raveled binding” (Bradbury 115). However, the latter part of my claim, the idea that Ray Bradbury intended books to have much figurative meaning, is pronounced through Faber, “Do you know why books such as this are so important? Because they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture… It has features. This book can go under the microscope. You’d find life under the glass… good writers touch life often” (83). I agree fully with Miracle when she explains that books were symbols of wisdom and creativity; this is supported numerous times throughout the book, and is even supported by my included quote. In addition, I feel as though books are symbolic of hope and rebellion, as Montag, Faber, and the other scholars use books as sources of guidance and embodiments of insurgence in this broken society. I wholly agree with Miracle, and truly believe that books are an extremely significant, symbolic element of this story.
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ReplyDeleteThe word books in the story Fahrenheit 451 had a lot of figurative meaning as well as a lot of literal meaning. In the book, Faber one of the major characters in the book helped to explain the figurative meaning of the importance of books. He told Montag once that "it's not the books you need, it's some of the things that once were in books"(Bradbury 82). This demonstrates figurative meaning because he is basically saying that books aren’t as important as the knowledge that they contain. Thinking about it in the context of the story, the people in Montag’s story did more than just take books away, they took away their opportunity to learn new things, gain different perspectives and be able to see the world in a different light. Faber also further explained why books were hated a feared in his time. He said that “they show the pores in the face of life. The comfortable people want only wax moon faces, poreless, hairless, [and] expressionless” (Bradbury 83).This also shows how the books were symbols of wisdom and creativity. This quote showed that during this time seemed to just want to continue to live the same boring life that they were used to, and the easiest way to achieve this was to get rid of the one thing that will help to bring about change in the society.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the word “books” in Fahrenheit 451 represented various topics in the novel. As Miracle stated, the literal books were not important; rather, the stories and information they contain are what make them so valuable. Montag enunciated this truth by explaining, “…and there on the floor, their covers torn off and spilled out like swan feathers, the incredible books that looked so silly and really not worth bothering with, for these were nothing but black type and yellowed paper and raveled binding” (Bradbury 115). However, the latter part of my claim, the idea that Ray Bradbury intended books to have much figurative meaning, is pronounced through Faber, “Do you know why books such as this are so important? Because they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture… It has features. This book can go under the microscope. You’d find life under the glass… good writers touch life often” (83). I agree fully with Miracle when she explains that books were symbols of wisdom and creativity; this is supported numerous times throughout the book, and is even supported by my included quote. In addition, I feel as though books are symbolic of hope and rebellion, as Montag, Faber, and the other scholars use books as sources of guidance and embodiments of insurgence in this broken society. I wholly agree with Miracle, and truly believe that books are an extremely significant, symbolic element of this story.
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