symbols

Question 1

blood represents

Answer 1

the primal human and the repressed soul

Montag feels his most revolutionary thoughts circulating in his blood

Question 2

Mildred’s blood

Answer 2

is replaced with new blood, implying her primal self has been lost

snake machine shoes her corrupted insides: the sediment of delusion, self-hatred and misery

Question 3

hearth

Answer 3

traditional symbol of the home

Question 4

salamander

Answer 4

ancient belief that they aren’t affected by flames

the dominant image in Montag’s life

Question 5

Montag’s memories

Answer 5

of filling a sieve with sand

related to his attempt to read the bible quickly

so sand is the truth Montag seeks and the sieve is the human mind seeking truth that remains elusive

Question 6

phoenix

Answer 6

the symbol of rebirth refers not only to the cyclical nature of history and the collective rebirth of humankind but also to Montag’s spiritual resurrection

Question 7

mirrors

Answer 7

symbols of self-understanding, seeing oneself clearly