Christianity Depicted in Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451

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Biblical Christianity is a very simple thing in essence. God incarnate gave his life for our sins so that if we believe in Him we shall have eternal life. Most would agree that this is very basic in nature. The actual life leading up to and following this decision happens to be the interesting part that is shrouded in much confusion in the world today. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury actually manages to offer loads of simple clarity on what this Christian life basically consists of through the life of Guy Montag as a fireman, his pursuit of knowledge and knowledge’s pursuit of him, and his ultimate escape into freedom.

The idea seems farfetched at first, but start with the beginning of the book. Guy is walking by himself thinking about absolutely nothing when, for no reasons other than pure coincidence, he meets Clarisse McClellan. Clarisse quickly reveals to him that something in his soul is not right, that there is more. She begins to make his brain churn and think for the first time with statements such as, “You laugh when I haven’t been funny and you answer right off. You never stop to think what I’ve asked you (8).” Guy does not immediately realize this but the ball has begun to roll and books will begin to embody this invaluable knowledge that he needs. This is very similar to the Biblical teaching of Jesus revealing himself to people and their subsequent realizing that there is more to this life than the day-to-day strivings after wind. Knowledge has begun its pursuit of Guy just as Jesus begins the pursuit with people.

This pursuit highlights the emptiness of Guy’s life that he had been unaware of before. The unquenchable flame of the fire is leading him nowhere and knowledge offers a new life with lasting value. The...

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... was before. It is this striving as a fireman, the pursuing of knowledge symbolized by Clarisse, and the symbolism of Jesus in the existence of books that alludes to the early stages of a Christian life. People are lost in the world until Jesus comes after them and they are initially enlightened to the scope of eternity. The following escape, death of the civilian, crossing of the river, and enthrallment with nature demonstrate the flee from the sin-filled world, death to old self, baptism, and enlightenment that a Christian goes through. Bradbury offers a very thorough look at the Christian life with a plethora of other symbolisms throughout such as the hardening of hearts, community, and the end of time according to the Bible. Bradbury shows his brilliance in this novel and whether by choice or chance, depicts Guy as a prototypical Bible hero from page one to 165.

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