Journal #2

    The firemen in this novel wear the symbols of the salamander and the phoenix. The salamander in the novel represents one of the official symbols of the firemen, as well as what they call their fire trucks. The salamander is fast and stealthy like a fire fighter. The salamander focuses on Montag's job as a fireman. These symbols that are represented in the clothing that Montag wears also symbolizes Montag's life and how it is based around fire and how he enjoys the job that he does. According to ancient mythologies, the salamander lives in fire and is unaffected by flames. In the beginning of the novel, Montag burns books for his job. He enjoys burning books so much that he tells the girl he meets that the smell of kerosene is like perfume to his nose. The phoenix symbolizes mankind and how, like a phoenix, they can arise up after the trials they have experienced. In the novel, the phoenix is used after the great city is bombed. The phoenix also symbolizes rebirth and cleansing of mistakes made through out the life of man. The phoenix is a bird that after every 1000 burns and turns to ashes. The bird is generational from fire and ashes. Fire is used to destroy and used to purify.