Science fiction is a very popular theme in todays society. Many see science fiction in books, movies, and TV shows. However, few know that this genre has its own motifs, repeated ideas in a story. Science fiction motifs include freedom of the mind, unnatural creation, and utopia/dystopia. Ray Bradbury is a great science fiction writer who utilizes all three of these science fiction motifs. In his novel, Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury uses symbolism to prove the idea that a utopia is impossible to create.
Books are used as a symbol in Fahrenheit 451 to show how impossible it is to achieve a true utopia. Montag, the protagonist, asks his wife if there [were] something in books, things [that] we cant imagine (51). Montag is curious about books because they symbolize something his futuristic society lacks: knowledge. His society receives no knowledge at all; all they get is television every single hour of their lives. Montags society tries to create a utopia by destroying all books because they show the pores in the face of life (83). By eliminating books, Montags society is actually creating a dystopia. Because books show both good and bad ideas on life, this society does not want them then. There is no knowledge whatsoever in this community. The people believe that if colored people dont like Little Black Sambo. Burn It. [And if] white people dont feel good about Uncle Toms Cabin. Burn it (59). Montags society believes in total equality and happiness. Books, which show the good and the bad of human nature, impede societys progress to become a totally equal society; thus, they burn the book[s] (59). By taking out books, the symbol of knowledge, to make a utopia, Montags society is actually creating a dystopia, which relates to Bradburys theme that utopias are not achievable.
The symbol of fire is also used to prove the theme that utopias are impossible to create. Fire is used to destroy the books in society. Many civilians in the books say that fire is bright and [it] is clean (60). Society believes that fire actually cleanses their society because it cleans society of books. However, Bradbury portrays fire as a destructive force, not as a cleanser. Bradbury tells the reader that the real beauty [of fire] is that it destroys responsibility and consequences (115). Fires destroy knowledge in the society but they still believe that it is antibiotic, aesthetic, [and] practical (115). By destroying books, fire actually leads the society into a dystopia, just like books. By making fire represent a destructive force, rather than a cleanser, Bradbury is able to prove that utopias are unattainable.
Through the use of the symbolism of the books and fire, Bradbury illustrates how utopias are unattainable. He shows how knowledge is essential to the creation of a more stable society. The use of symbolism ties back to the science fiction motif of utopia/dystopia. Bradbury shows the detriments of total equality in a utopia. Thus, he proves total equality and happiness are unachievable.
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