Allusions and Symbols in Fahrenheit 451

Allusions-

Page 40; "We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out" - This is an allusion to a quote by Hugh Latimer who said this to his friend Nicholas Ridley, as they were both about to be burned as heretics for their teachings and beliefs.

Page 34; "Established, 1790, to burn english influenced books in the colonies. First fireman, Benjamin Franklin." - This depicts Benjamin Franklin as the first fireman to burn books when it was actually Benjamin Franklin who established the first fire brigade in Philadelphia to put fires out, not burn books.

Page 76; "Do I turn in Mr. Jefferson?" - This is a reference to Thomas Jefferson related on the constitution and the Declaration on Independence.

Page 58; "Not everyone born free and equal, as the constitution says, but everyone made equal." - Yet another reference to the constitution and the content of the document used to make a point for one of the characters.

Name allusion; "Clarisse" - This name comes from the latin term meaning "clear". Clarisse is very clear and always speaks what is on her mind. Page 9; "...(my uncle) drove forty miles per hour and they jailed him for two days. Isn't that funny, and sad, too?"

Page 78; "Shut up, thought Montag. Consider the lilies of the field. Denhams Dentifrice." - This is a reference to a passage in the bible

Page 100;

"The Sea of Faith

Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore

Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furl'd.

But now I only hear

Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,

Retreating, to the breath

Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear

And naked shingles of the world."- This is the third stanza from a poem called Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold. The poem was referenced in the novel to evoke emotion in the people listening.

Page 108; "Galaxy's 5 Star Shelf" - This is an allusion to Galaxy Science Fiction, which an American science fiction magazine, published from 1950 to 1980.

Page 105; "Recommended Reading" - This is an allison to The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, usually referred to as F&SF, which was first published in 1949.

Page 59; "They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts," - This is a literally allusion to Little Black Sambo and Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Page 86; "Remember Caesar, thou art mortal" - Allusion