Fahrenheit 451

When Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451, he allegedly chose the title for
the temperature that paper, particularly book paper, catches fire. The idea
was that the firemen use flamethrowers to burn books, and the fire
needed to be at least 451 degrees Fahrenheit to properly burn the paper.
However, proper scientific testing shows that paper ignites in a much
broader range, anywhere from 4-800 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on
the quality and thickness of the paper. In fact, some papers don't ignite
until 450 degrees Celsius, almost double 451 degrees Fahrenheit. It is
more likely that Bradbury chose the title because it sounded good than
based on research of paper temperatures; of course, because of the
popularity of the novel, many sources reference that temperature as
accurate without further research.
Many major symbols appear in the titles Bradbury uses in the novel. The
title of the novel, Fahrenheit 451 is symbolic because it is the temperature
at which paper burns. Two other symbols associated with fire appear in
the title of Part 1 of the novel, the hearth and the salamander. The hearth
contains a fireplace and, when used constructively, can heat a home.
Ancient peoples believed the salamander could live in fire. Salamanders
are also the names given to fire trucks and are the official symbol of the
firefighters. Thus, they represent the destructive nature of fire.
The fire is a symbol or rebirth as well as a symbol of the goodness
The 1991 Ballentine edition of this book made the meaning of the title pretty obvious with
an addendum to the title: "Fahrenheit 451the temperature at which books burn." This is
followed shortly by: "The novel of firemen who are paid to set books ablaze." That pretty
much covers it. Our only question is what they call the book in countries that don't use the
Fahrenheit temperature scale.
Ah... it's the temperature at which book paper catches fire and burns. An allusion to the plotline
which involves television taking over popular culture to the point where 'firemen' have the job of
burning books. Scary.
That's the author Bradbury making his stand for literature. Well worth reading.
At the opening of his science fiction story of a dystopian society in which

books are banned because of the knowledge they contain -- knowledge
that could pose a threat to the stability of this repressive society -- Ray
Bradbury notes: "FAHRENHEIT 451: The temperature at which bookpaper catches fire and burns"
In Fahrenheit 451, firemen are not employed to extinguish fires; they are
employed for the purpose of carrying out the government's edict against
the possession of books. As Bradbury's story begins, he describes the
exhilaration experienced by firemen as they torch literature. Montag, the
story's protagonist, is busy at work:
"With his symbolic helmet numbered 451 on his stolid head, and his eyes
all orange flame with the thought of what came next, he flicked the igniter
and the house jumped up in a gorging fire that burned the evening sky
red and yellow and black."
The relationship of the book's title to the story is the emphasis placed by
the ruling regime on controlling the population through criminalization of
literature. The irony inherent in vesting in firemen the authority and
responsibility for locating and burning books is at the core of Bradbury's
novel.
The book is about a fireman, Guy Montag, whose job is to burn books. When he met a 17-yearold girl, Clarisse, she tells him that in the past, men used to save people from fires instead of
starting fires to burn books. In Guy's hometown, not only people can't read, but they can't do
other stuff that allows them to act human. Like for instance, they aren't allowed to have animals
for pets nor have balconies. Guy is trying to change the world back the way it used to be before
books were banned. The title, fahrenheit 451,is the temperature the firemen use to burn the
society's books.
In reality, paper combusts at many different temperatures, depending on the composition. It
seems that 451F it is the temperature that "book paper" combusts at. Since "book paper" is
much thinner than normal paper and has ink on it, it is more vulnerable to lower heats
Also the station that Guy works at is the 451 station

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When Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451, he allegedly chose the title for

At the opening of his science fiction story of a dystopian society in which

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