The sieve and the sand
Background and allusions
Click these links to find out more about allusions Bradbury uses in the book:
Allegory of the Cave--from Plato's Republic
Sermon on the Mount--Montag is mulling this Bible portion on his train ride
Hercules and Antaeus--this allusion is explained fairly well in the book. We'll see another of Poseidon's monstrous kids later in the year.
The Book of Job--raises the question of why good people suffer
Nixon/Kennedy debates--although these debates didn't take place until 7 years after Bradbury published his book, it is eerie to note the parallels between the way Mildred and her friends discuss political candidates and the influence television came to have on American politics.
Dover Beach--Montag reads the poem to Mildred and her friends
Lady MacBeth--Montag's leaving to wash his hands twice during his time with Beatty is evocative of Lady MacBeth's guilty tic
Allegory of the Cave--from Plato's Republic
Sermon on the Mount--Montag is mulling this Bible portion on his train ride
Hercules and Antaeus--this allusion is explained fairly well in the book. We'll see another of Poseidon's monstrous kids later in the year.
The Book of Job--raises the question of why good people suffer
Nixon/Kennedy debates--although these debates didn't take place until 7 years after Bradbury published his book, it is eerie to note the parallels between the way Mildred and her friends discuss political candidates and the influence television came to have on American politics.
Dover Beach--Montag reads the poem to Mildred and her friends
Lady MacBeth--Montag's leaving to wash his hands twice during his time with Beatty is evocative of Lady MacBeth's guilty tic
Study Questions
Use these questions to guide you as you read and annotate. Any of these, all, and more could be fodder for a test on the first day of class.
- What comes to the door as Montag and Mildred are reading? Why could this be important?
- Explain the link Montag makes between the books and Clarisse.
- Explain the link between Montag's experience and The Allegory of the Cave.
- What happened to the liberal arts colleges?
- How is Montag acquainted with Faber?
- Why does Montag have the memory about the sieve and the sand?
- Describe what is going on on the train as Montag goes to see Faber.
- Why does Faber see himself as cowardly?
- What does Faber mean when he says good books have "pores"?
- Explain the three things Faber says people need in order to value books.
- What has Faber been thinking about for a long time?
- What does Faber say that echoes Beatty? Is Faber optimistic or pessimistic? What evidence supports your conclusion?
- How does Montag force Faber to become his guide?
- "Those who don't build must burn. It's as old as history and juvenile delinquents." What does this mean?
- How does Faber's use of technology differ from the rest of his society?
- What has changed in Montag that makes Faber say that he is "wise already"?
- What two things does Montag do that irritates or makes the women uncomfortable?
- What does Mrs. Bowles compare raising children to?
- What can the reader infer about the election from what the women say?
- Why do you think Bradbury chose the poem "Dover Beach" for Montag to read to the women?
- What impact does the poem have on the women?
- Why does Montag throw the women out of the house?
- What is the difference in the way Faber and Beatty each try to convince Montag to their way of thinking?
- Why does Beatty quote from so many authors in his speech to Montag? What does this tell the reader about Beatty?
- What images does Bradbury use in describing the firemen at the end of this section? What feeling are they meant to evoke?
reaction Prompts -- Not Required!!!
The responses to these questions should be at least a page long (about 500 words) typed (double-spaced in times new roman or arial 12 point type). A quality response will contain well developed thoughts and use specific examples to support thinking. It will be academic in nature (no text-speak and no use of the second person pronoun you), carefully edited for clarity of thought, and free of spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes. If you need to see examples, there are several posted here. Please be authentic and write what YOU think, not what you think I want to see. Submit all reactions to the corresponding space on turnitin.com by Aug. 10, 2013 at 10 p.m.
Part 3
- Response 4: On page 69, Mildred says, "Books aren't people. You read and I look all around, but there isn't anybody!...Why should I read? What for?" Respond to Mildred's comment and questions. Use your own experience and what you know for support.
- Response 5: On page 78-79, Faber says, "It's not books at all you're looking for! Take it where you can find it, in old phonograph records, old motion pictures, and in old friends; look for it in nature and look for it in yourself." What is the it Faber is speaking of and Montag is looking for? Write a response that fully explains your understanding of what IT is.
- Response 6: "Pity, Montag, pity. Don't haggle and nag them; you were so recently of them yourself" (99). Faber cautions Montag against trying to convert the women to his new way of thinking. What are the benefits and risks of of a person speaking boldly opinions and beliefs, and what are the benefits and risks of being more measured, prudent or reserved about opinions and beliefs? Support your ideas with examples from your life or history.
Part 3