Fahrenheit 451 Metaphor Analysis

Bradbury used metaphors frequently throughout Fahrenheit 451 to add vibrancy and a layer of clarity to his work. To put it plainly, metaphors are comparisons between two things that are not alike by means that exclude terms such as like, as, than, or resembles. A metaphor was encountered as Montag justified his career to Mildred, stating his “‘... grandfather and father were firemen. In [his] sleep, [he] ran after them.’” (Bradbury 49) It was expected for him to assume this role, so he made the decision without much thought. It was an unconscious commitment, comparable to one one might make while asleep. If one has dozed off, they can not make decisions for themselves; others must choose for them, for they cannot answer, just how relatives before were traditionally firemen. They laid

Books were the intellectuals’ weapon of choice. The author’s use the comparison showed that books were portrayed as being as threatening as something as deadly and dangerous as a gun. Lastly, while Bradbury described Montag’s situation in the latter half of the book, it was mentioned that “The circus must go on, even with war beginning within the hour…” (Bradbury 127) Montag’s condition was referred to as a “circus” a few times, due to its rowdy manner and large audience. The whole debacle was being televised; it was no longer an intimate rivalry between Beatty and Montag. It was there for the viewing pleasure of the city--unruly, but entertaining, like a circus. To the residents, it was merely just a show created for their amusement; it was a new action TV show, not a life threatening situation for an actual human. The news decided to focus more on his problems than the larger problem going on, an actual war that was about to become full-blown. Bradbury used metaphors in a plethora of situations which enhanced both the reading experience and the mental visualization of the