Thursday, December 5, 2013

In Fahrenheit 451 what is the literal meaning of "burning bright"?

There are two possible literal meanings.  1.  Montag's house burning to the ground.  2.  Montag's entire city burning brightly as it is torched in the war.


There are more figurative meanings, or symbolic meanings, however.  Burning bright could refer to Montag's entire life, way of living, perspective, and livelihood all burning brightly to the ground as he turns on it and escapes from the city.  He chooses to rebel, and not in slight, subtle ways, he turns on Beatty and literally fires him, burning his rebellion for everyone to see. It is also symbolic of the phoenix that Granger mentions at the end; their entire city burned brightly to the ground, and will be born again, but this time hopefully built better, not to repeat the same mistakes.  His relationship with Mildred officially burned in the last section.  And, their society, so full and busy, that burned so brightly with activity, violence, and busyness, can also be tied to the symbol of "burning brightly".

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