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Essay / Religious Symbolism in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
In the many chapters of Fahrenheit 451, the Bible is discussed in depth, and Ray Bradbury mentions it for a specific reason, because tying the story to a religious symbol will make it appealing . to the public more. It is, in many ways, a gateway for the main character to wake up, to become aware of what is happening around him, to deny knowledge by burning the books and describing their reading as a crime . Therefore, he would become the more thoughtful person he becomes towards the end of the story. This ties in with the theme of the story, which concerns government involvement in people's lives – restricting their freedom and stripping them of their faith – since the Bible immediately contradicts such ideology and exposes them to a less materialistic belief. This essay shows how this theme is explored and how symbolism from the Bible is used in the book, as it is a symbol of illumination that people need in their lives to be well aware of the right way to 'action, whether in regards to reading and enjoying books, or generally using the commandments of the Bible to live a happy and well-guided life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The most significant way in which the Bible is used in the story is as a trigger that describes the development of Montag's character, where he moves from one character to another. this contributes to the fall in literacy, as he was a firefighter who participated in burning books and denying people the right to read, one who actively works to restore books and their culture. This is especially evident when he reads the book of Matthew on the train, chapter 6, verses 27-29. “And which of you, by worrying, can add a cubit to the measure of his life? 28 And why do you care about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not work and do not spin. 29 Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. This verse, when analyzed, is a call to action, encouraging people to worry less about the materialistic aspects of life, and more about longer term things, such as divine and human relationships. These include the relationship the person has with their God and how they should appreciate God's creation and learn about it by reading books. The timing in which this verse is used in the story is also significant, as it foreshadows this crucial change, as when he reads it he finds himself in a subway filled with advertisements for trivial products. As Ms. Stoller states, these advertisements prevent “Montag from absorbing the words he is trying to read” (Bible Gateway). Again, it's almost like the world is trying to keep him from realizing that it has meaning outside of just products and keep him in the same belief that everyone else follows. This is further emphasized in the writer's style, which uses the repetition of the words "shut up", while Montag tries to read the Bible, but cannot concentrate because of the advertisements, to show the struggle interior that he leads in an attempt to break the Bible. free from government brainwashing. It is a symbol of respect for the rules of the majority, as people today would follow the crowd and not question the majority's opinion even if it contradicted their own beliefs. Additionally, the repetition of the product name, Denham's Dental freeze, further highlights the pressure the company is putting on him and his.