Fahrenheit 451
Part Two: the Sieve and the Sand
Directions: To give you a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the
novel, answer the following questions for Part Two. Use a different color for
your responses.
1. In the beginning of Part Two, Montag remembers Clarisse. Why do the two
books remind him of Clarisse?
2. What is waiting outside Montag’s door? Why?
3. Describe the flashback of Montag meeting the old man. Why does he
remember this incident? Why do you think he saved the old man’s name
for so long?
4. Explain Montag’s memory of the sand dune. How does it relate to Montag’s current
predicament? What is symbolic or significant about the story? Why do you think the
title of this part of the novel is named “The Sieve and the Sand?” Think about how
sieve is used!
5. What is the significance of Montag’s trip on the underground train? What
commercial interrupts his thoughts? Why does it appear as if he argues with
the commercial? What aspect of this society is he really arguing against?
6. Why does Montag tell Faber that his wife is “dying?” What does he mean?
7. On page 82, Faber calls himself a coward, because he did not take action against
book burning when he had the chance, He says, “ I’m one of the innocents who
could have spoken up and out when no one would listen to the ‘guilty,’ but I did not
speak up and thus became guilty myself. And when finally they set the structure to
burn the books, using the firemen, I grunted a few times and subsided, for there
were no others grunting or yelling with me by then. Now it’s too late.”
Consider this quote in connection with Montag’s words to Mildred on page 52, “Let
you alone! That’s all very well, but how can I leave myself alone? We need to not be let
alone. We need to really be bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really
bothered? About something important? About something real?”
What do these quotes have to do with one another? What point is Bradbury making?
8. How is Christ portrayed in this society? Why? What does this further reveal about
this society and the values of its people?
9. Faber lists three things that are missing from society. What are they? What does each
thing mean?
10. According to Faber, why are books hated and feared?
11. What is Montag and Faber’s “plan?”
12. Why does Montag say “Can you help me in any way tonight, with the Fire Captain?
I need an umbrella to keep off the rain. I’m so damned afraid I’ll drown if he gets
me again?” What do you think he means?
13. What did Faber invent? Why?
14. Who are Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles? What do you think about their
reactions to their husbands going off to war? Why do you think this?
15. How does this society feel about children and motherhood? How do you know? Why
do you think this is so?
16. Montag reads a poem called "Dover Beach." How do the women react after
Montag reads the poem? Why do you think they react this way?
17. Why do you think Montag feels that he has to wash his hands twice while the
firemen play poker?
18. What do you think Beatty means when he says “the sheep returns to the fold?”
19. Why do you think Beatty keeps quoting texts from which he has read?
20. Where do the firemen go at the end of this section?
21. Why do you think the firemen are suddenly called?