Connections

The novel makes many allusions to literature throughout history, since the plot revolves around books. The official slogan of the firemen is "Monday burn Millay, Wednesday Whitman, Friday Faulkner, burn 'em to ashes, then burn the ashes" (38). The shameless destruction of meaningful literature reflects upon the lack of meaning in society. Through book-burning, the firemen are destroying the human emotion and struggle present in those books, and in turn, exterminating what makes them human.

Montag stole a bible from the house of the woman who set herself on fire. That book is said to be the last one remaining. Although he is not religious, possessing the last bible represents how he is the last person with real knowledge.

The theme in the novel connects to the universal theme of the meaning of existence. Although this theme is not explicitly stated, it is hinted at throughout the novel through Montag's observations of the people around him. He understands that he and many other people are not as happy as they say they are, so he sets out to find the answer in books.