Poem Themes
Name one of the themes demonstrated from the following poem quote:
”If a book isn’t written, no one needs to burn it-ignorance can dance in the absence of fire” (Stafford 15-17)
Ignorance being valued over knowledge
Censorship
Demonization of literature
“the terrorized countryside where wild dogs own anything that moves” (14-15)
This quote specifically relates to two characters from the novel. Name one.
the robot dog, who has the power to kill anyone it or the government pleases
Symbolism of the government, who terrorizes the people so that they may own anything that moves
One of the most common poetic devices in this poem
Symbolism
Personification
The hypocritical pair of themes in this poem.
That truth can be ‘burned’ or eradicated easily, particularly through the burning of books
Truth & literature is resilient, and lives on in the minds of the people
“You can usually find a few charred words in the ashes” (7-8) relates to a few scenes from the novel. Name one.
When a few of Montag’s books survived after his house was burnt
When Montag saved one book from the lady’s house
When the burnt books live, however vague and distant, in the people’s minds.
”Ignorance can dance in the absence of fire” (17) and ”protecting each other, right in the center a few pages glow a long time” (1-2) are an examples of this crucial poetic device.
Personification