Figurative Language In Fahrenheit 451

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Mildred Montag, a character in Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 whose sole purpose was to depict the immense shallowness of the entire community, is the exact opposite of Clarisse McClellan, a 17 year old girl who enjoys the simple things in life, such as knitting and rainy days. Bradbury, an author who is known to use figurative language, describes Mildred perfectly in one simile, “She was shrieking now, sitting there like a wax doll melting in its own heat” (Bradbury 78). This is not only an example of Mildred’s self-destructiveness, but also shows her conformity. Like the wax doll she is, Mildred fits the mold of the society perfectly, believing that televisions are superior, and books are a waste of time. Clarisse disagrees. The young girl knows …show more content…
At his time of death, Beatty reveals an immense knowledge of classic novels and pushes Montag to kill him, shown in the quote, “‘Why don’t you belch Shakespeare at me, you fumbling snob? ‘There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, for I am arm’d so strong in honesty that they pass me as an idle wind, which I respect not!’ How’s that? Go ahead now, you second-hand litterateur, pull the trigger’” (Bradbury 121). Beatty here quotes William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, specifically choosing a line from the scene in which Julius is murdered. But unlike Emperor Caesar, Beatty wants to die. Like Montag, Beatty is unfulfilled with the empty life of the community, but Beatty doesn’t do anything about it. Montag does, revealing the first layer of their differences. Montag is a much braver version of Beatty, as shown in the quote, “‘Plant the books, turn in an alarm, and see the firemen’s houses burn, is that what you mean?’” (Bradbury 88). Here, Montag makes a plan to change the society by destroying its ignorance. Montag also shows his bravery in the quote, “Now it [Montag’s hand] plunged the book into his arm, pressed tight under to his sweating armpit, rushed out empty, with a magician’s flourish!” (Bradbury 41). Stealing books in Montag’s society is punishable by a life sentence in jail—such actions are not taken lightly. But Montag does it anyway, for the greater good. He does it so he can pass the words down to many generations to come. The two men’s differences are one is courageous and the other is
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