The Subplot of the Denham's Dentifrice Advertisement

The recurring advertisement becomes a symbol of the inescapable noise and commercialism that drowns out thought.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The First Drowning

The Inescapable Jingle The Train Noise Montag is on the subway trying to read the Bible. The train's speakers blare 'Denham's Dentifrice' over and over. The ad is a physical assault on his concentration. The Sieve and Sand He tries to memorize the words, but the ad interrupts. The jingle is like sand in a sieve, preventing him from retaining anything. The Frustration He screams at the passengers, but they are all in the same trance. The ad is a symbol of the mindless consumerism that fills the society's void.

The Ubiquity

The Constant Noise The Background Denham's Dentifrice is heard on the radio, on the subway, everywhere. It is a product of the society's obsession with advertising. The Mind Numbing The ad is designed to be catchy and repetitive. It does not inform; it occupies the mind. It is a form of control. The Contrast with Books Books require quiet and concentration. The ad is the opposite. The society has replaced deep thought with shallow jingles.

The Final Silence

The Absence of the Ad The Healing In the moment of remembering the Ecclesiastes, Montag notices that there is no Denham's Dentifrice. The ad is gone, replaced by the words of the Preacher. The Victory Montag's mind is finally free from the noise. He has succeeded in holding onto something meaningful. The ad is silenced. The Symbol of Change The disappearance of the ad signifies the end of the old world. The new world will be built on memory, not marketing.

On the subway, on the way to Faber's

Throughout the story, especially in public spaces

After the bombing, when Montag remembers Ecclesiastes