Abstract

MECHTHILD, Albert. Quema de libros y antitotalitarismo. Manuel Rivas Los libros arden mal y Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 451. Olivar [online]. 2015, vol.16, n.24, pp.7-7. ISSN 1852-4478.

The current article aims at a comparison of Manuel Rivas’ Los libros arden mal (2006) and Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (1953). Both novels share the anti-totalitarian commitment which is, in both cases, exemplified by the book burning motive, considered the climax of anti-cultural barbarism. Based on Fernando Rodríguez de la Flor’s reflections on biblioclasm (2004), parallels can be found in the following aspects: the zoo- and anthropomorphic description of the burning books; biblioclasm as an expression of totalitarianism, indicating, furthermore, an ambivalent and dialectic relation between civilization and barbarism; the subversive movements dedicated to maintain the reverence for the book and the philosophical-literary tradition; the intertextuality and the prominent role of the Bible as the Book of books. In conclusion, one can say that both authors, despite various common points – especially with regard to their anti-totalitarian commitment – differ, in particular, in terms of their political orientation and the focus of their cultural critic.

Keywords : biblioclasm; civilization vs. barbarism; intertextuality.

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