Examples Of Allusions In Fahrenheit 451

“It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed.” (Bradbury 1). In this quote a fireman watches the flames of a fire burn books. Ray Bradbury’s futuristic novel Fahrenheit 451 tells the story of Montag, a fireman realizing the value of books and decides to give up his job to preserve the knowledge within them. A primary theme Ray Bradbury expresses is that knowledge and individuality is what makes life worth living. Several mythology allusions can be found in the book that support the theme. Beatty tells Montag, “Old Montag wanted to fly near the Sun and now that he’s burnt his damn wings, he wonders why.” (Bradbury 113) alludes to the Greek myth Icarus and is used to expresses Beatty’s disappointment with Montag for knowing too much. When Montag stole a book he became curious to read it. After Montag learns how powerful books are, Beatty tells him he has gone too far and is now a criminal. Faber tells Montag, "Do you know the legend of Hercules and Antaeus, the giant wrestler, whose strength was incredible so long as he stood firmly on the earth? But when he was held, rootless, in midair by Hercules, he perished easily." (Bradbury 83). Faber is very knowledgeable in books and this allusion shows he has read enough to be able to remember stories and mythology. He tries to explain with this allusion that people need to read in order to live, but society’s ban on books is hurting everyone. Despite the ban on books, Faber continues to live on waiting for a day him knowledge can be of use. These allusions show how influential reading can be towards people’s lives. Characters like Mildred and Beatty have devestating fates that emphasize the theme. Montag described his wife as “stretched on the bed, uncovered and cold, like a body displayed on the lid of a tomb, her eyes fixed to the ceiling by invisible threads of steel, immovable.” (Bradbury 12). He notices that she has attempted suicide but discovers the next day that she does not even remember taking the pills. This could mean that Mildred is not aware of knowing how empty her existence is. She tries to escape her dull life by …show more content…
Montag watched as "Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles came through the door...he saw their Cheshire Cat smiles burning through the walls of the house..." (Bradbury 93). The two women greet Mildred at the door and give fake smiles because they are unhappy with their lives. They fill that unhappiness with their television get-together and laugh, and pretend they are having a good time. They laugh at the same programs on the television and continue mindlessly watching because they are incapable of thinking for themselves. In one event, Clarisse tells Montag, "...I don't think it's social to get a bunch of people together and then not let them talk... do you know, we never ask questions...they just run the answers at you bing, bing bing,” (Bradbury 29). She explains how school does not allow free thinking to assure that everyone is learning and thinking the same. Answers are given so there are never questions to ask. Schools are made for learning and Clarisse’s school is not allowing