My noodle

As I examined the many book covers provided, the reoccurring images were those of fire and firemen. Though I have not yet read the book, I have come to understand, through class discussions and other sources, that this classic novel deals with censorship and the burning of books.  It seems that reading is against the law, and if anyone is caught committing such a crime, the “firemen” confiscate and burn the books.  With most of the covers sharing the image of literature burning, complete with firemen overseeing the destruction, it makes more sense that the book is about destroying literature all together.  After analyzing all 15 covers, I came to realize that one affected me more than any of the others.  The second book (the 50th anniversary edition) really painted a clear picture to me about the book.  This cover shows an illustration of a man on fire.  However, this man is no human, but rather the shape of a human, with a body of words and pages, symbolizing a “book man,” if you will.  The book man is shown covering his face in pain and grief, showing that these important pieces of literature being burned are actually harming “mankind” in general.  The man is shown standing on a stack of books, all of which (himself, and the stacks) are burning.  Below it reads, “Fahrenheit 451,” and in the middle of the cover it reads, “RAY BRADBURY,” which establishes ethos, because obviously if the author’s name is in the middle of the page in full caps, he is credible, and his name will attract readers.  With all of these things combined, it makes the cover interesting, mysterious, and candy to the eye.