Saturday, February 5, 2011

What is the significance of this quote from Fahrenheit 451: “And on either side of the river was there a tree of life, which bare twelve manner...

In the closing paragraphs of Fahrenheit 451, Montag suddenly recalls a passage from the Bible which he decides to save "for noon." This quote is taken from the Book of Revelation (22:2), one of the books that Montag has memorised, and is significant for a number of reasons.


First of all, the blossoming of fruit on the "tree of life" evokes a strong image of new beginnings which is particularly apt at this stage in the novel. This is because Montag and his friends have just witnessed the total destruction of the city and are now preparing to rebuild their society from scratch.


Furthermore, the allusion to the tree which bears fruit is a symbol of hope and optimism. It implies that Montag and his friends will be successful in their endeavours. This is further supported by the reference to the "healing of nations" which suggests that Montag's society will undergo a revitalization and a rebirth, washing away the censorship of the past and making way for a new, uncensored and liberated future. This is also supported by Granger's allusion to the Phoenix which appears just before this quote. This symbol evokes a potent image of a cleansing fire which will renew the spirits of those left behind and prepare them for the challenges ahead.

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