In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, irony is often used to convey information and contribute to the overall theme of the novel. Many parts of the book contain this irony because it works well to fuel the actions of the main antagonist or protagonist. Fahrenheit 451 is a book based on the ideals of a “utopian society” where books are illegal and are burned if found. Firefighters are ordered to burn the books and all houses containing them, instead of putting out fires and protecting people. In communities people don't think, they can't be "intellectuals" and are forced to become rifles of the government's ideals. In the novel Farenheit 451 irony is used to express society's complex ideas, but it also gives the book more understanding and meaning by making us think differently, as the characters are ironically told not to. First, an ironic example in the story is the fact that firefighters set fires when they burn books, when firefighters are supposed to put out fires. On page 8, Bradbury writes as Clarisse quietly argues with Montag, “Is it true that long ago firefighters put out fires instead of starting them?” 'NO. Houses. they've always been fireproof, take my word for it.' 'Strange. I once heard that a long time ago, houses burned down by accident and they needed firefighters to stop the flames.' He laughed. Bradbury's quote is ironic because throughout Farenheit 451, firefighters are setting fires to burn banned books. It's ironic because firefighters actually put out fires instead of starting them. Clarice mentions it and Montag has to ignore it, because he's thinking too much. It goes against the morals of their society that firefighters can "help people" by initiating and killing others who pose a threat... middle of the paper...vages in the book. Overall both quotes support the government's control of Farenheit 451 society behind the scenes, which is constantly mentioned with irony, contributing to the theme as a whole. In conclusion, many times in the book, Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, literary devices such as irony are used to contribute to the theme and the book by connecting two opposing ideas. These can be expressed through the abuse of portraying simple actions or people, linking our world to Farenheit 451 communities and examples of power struggles between antagonistic and protagonist forces. Irony is constantly used as a method to secretly help us relate to the book and to give deeper meanings to simple sentences that may represent the themes of this book. Works Cited Bradbury, Ray. "Fahrenheit 451." New York: Simon & Schuster Paperback 2013.