As we can see from Bradbury's addendum to the novel, the title refers to the temperature at which book-paper burns. The significance of this title becomes apparent once the novel begins: Montag, the main character, is employed as a fireman but, in the society of Fahrenheit 451, it is his job to start fires, not to put them out. Specifically, the firemen are responsible for burning books because their society is highly-censored and emphasises...
As we can see from Bradbury's addendum to the novel, the title refers to the temperature at which book-paper burns. The significance of this title becomes apparent once the novel begins: Montag, the main character, is employed as a fireman but, in the society of Fahrenheit 451, it is his job to start fires, not to put them out. Specifically, the firemen are responsible for burning books because their society is highly-censored and emphasises entertainment over learning.
In addition, this title is also significant because it is the first reference to fire, one of the novel's most potent symbols. In Fahrenheit 451, fire is a symbol of destruction and censorship: the firemen wear the number "451" on their uniforms, for example. But it also symbolises the death of one way of life and the beginning of a new one, as shown by Montag's transformation from committed fireman to social outsider.
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