Symbolism in Fahrenheit 451

Introduction

On the surface, Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, appears to be a fantastical tale that will never come to pass.  When considering the heavy symbolism, however, the novel takes on a larger meaning, one that many see as relevant to society today.  While reading the novel, you kept track of many symbols that Bradbury employed to develop his message to readers.

Task

For your final project, you and a partner will be researching one symbol from the novel and discussing its use throughout the whole book.  Conduct your research on your chosen symbol's history here.

Process

Reliable resources for your symbol are listed below.

 Fire:

http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/F/fire.html

http://www.symbolism.org/writing/books/sp/7/page2.html

http://www.authorsden.com/categories/article_top.asp?catid=62&id=43114

Water:

http://www.symbolism.org/writing/books/sp/7/home.html

http://www.symbolism.org/writing/books/sp/2/page6.html

http://witcombe.sbc.edu/water/artwaterchange.html

Mechanical Hound:

http://www.kearneyfire.org/History-of-the-Dalmation-in-the-Fire-Service.asp

http://www.dogsforlawenforcement.org/police-canines-in-history.html

Seashell:

http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/symbols/conch.htm

https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=-3804Ud9-4IC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=symbolism+of+conch+shell&ots=FRCDZTNdGu&sig=ncGDtTzlfMrVWPyYAY5k_uvIzLc#v=onepage&q=symbolism%20of%20conch%20shell&f=false   (You need to scroll for this one)

Books:

http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/B/book.html

http://www.mohamedrabeea.com/books/book1_4209.pdf

Phoenix:

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/204225/fenghuang

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/benu.htm

Salamander:

http://penelope.uchicago.edu/pseudodoxia/pseudo314.html

http://enviroliteracy.org/article.php/1469.html

 

 

Evaluation

See rubric.

Conclusion

Now that you are finished with your research, begin forming the historical context for your symbol's meaning.  Use your symbol's historical meaning to inform and support your interpretation of its meaning in the novel.