Section 2 The Sieve & The Sand FAHRENHEIT 451 Section 2 The Sieve & The Sand

Millie & Montag Millie is unhappy with her husband He is trying to discuss books with her She thinks books are useless “That favourite subject, myself…” Different reactions to quote Mildred/Clarisse (Montag thinking of her) She wants Montag to get rid of the books Montag realizes he needs a teacher

Allegory of the Cave “Maybe the books can get us half out of the cave.” (70) Plato, the Greek philosopher Nature of reality education = enlightenment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RWOpQXTltA

The Sieve & the Sand Montag remembers a story about a SIEVE as a child Sieve – Sifter, sand falls through the cracks Trying to fill a sieve with sand is impossible Metaphor- trying to memorize literature, but he can’t remember it all

Meeting Faber Faber is a retired English college professor Montag met him in the park, one year ago Calls Faber on the phone Asks him about books Asks him about books (Bible) Are there any left? (71) Faber is too cowardly to talk to Montag

Montag’s Trip To Faber’s House Montag’s moment of self-discovery Realizes the “old, burnt-in smile” is gone Sieve & the Sand = helplessness Tried to read the Bible without comprehension Tries to memorize a passage on the subway Dentham’s Dentifrice - toothpaste commercial distracts him Mindless info people fill their heads with “Consider the lilies..” Bible, Sermon on the Mount Do not worry; faith

At Faber’s House Faber is afraid of Montag White – walls, mouth, cheeks, hair, eyes (76) Goodness, not corrupted, wisdom Faber calls himself a coward He saw the world changing, did nothing Montag needs someone to talk to/explain things “Mistakes can be profited by” (100) If you hide your ignorance, you never learn

Three Missing Things Faber - three missing things in society: 1. Quality of information (79) - Books have quality, texture, pores - Provide details of life, thought-provoking 2. Leisure – time to think, digest (80) Time to develop own conclusions 3. Right to carry out actions based on the first two (81)

The White Clown Television show “It becomes and is the truth” Millie thinks these television characters care about her – fantasy world / illusion vs. reality Very violent, people cutting limbs off of people and laughing about it State of society Violence “Christ is one of the ‘family’ now” (77)

View of Families & Marriage Relationships & Husbands - husband off at war, not worried- 48 hour war - replaceable - no love “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold Theme of loneliness in modern world Touches Mrs. Phelps – innate emotions Children & Childbirth - births by cesarean - don’t want to raise kids, drop them off at schools - turn the TV on & leave them alone - laundry

Beatty Tells Montag a dream about the two of them arguing Books can prove your point, but they can also contradict you “You think they’re backing you up, and they turn on you.” “Truth is truth, to the end of reckoning” –Shakespeare “A little learning is a dangerous thing –Pope, Essay on Criticism Read Allusion pdf!