Should Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel about a book-burning culture, Fahrenheit 451, be properly called Celsius 451? Some sources say Bradbury thought "Fahrenheit" sounded better for a title, but the number given, as the temperature at which paper burns, is closer to Celsius. A contemporary work of science, Handbook of Physical Testing of Paper, puts the burning point at 450 degrees C (842 degrees F). Evidently Bradbury didn't read the Handbook. His title is based on information gathered from a local fireman.
Now, going from the title to the theme, we recall a maxim from the 1821 German play Almansor by Heinrich Heine: "Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people too". Heine was referring to the burning of Qur'an during the Spanish Inquisition, and the Nazis did burn books and people alike.
But we have always been burning things -- out of sheer necessity (e.g. as an agricultural activity), or by way of celebrating an occasion or whatever. And, to some, barbecuing a chicken is not any less gruesome than burning "witches" (including Joan of Arc) at the stake.
What is your take?
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