WorksheetsPart II: The Sieve and the Sand (Fahrenheit 451)
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 20mins
1. Why is "The Sieve and the Sand" an appropriate title for this section?
it is a metaphorical representation of Montag’s desperate attempts to retain as much knowledge as possible from books
it is a reference to an event during Montag’s childhood, which is the focal point of this section of the text
it is an image that eventually becomes a motif because it is frequently described in this part of the book
it is an allusion to Faber’s unsuccessful attempts at protesting intellectualism in colleges when he was a professor
At the beginning of part 2, Montag forces Mildred to sit and listen to him reading. Notably, it is raining during this scene. All of the following are possible symbolic functions of the rain motif in this scene EXCEPT:
rainclouds represent the “overcast” or “gloomy” nature of Montag and Mildred’s relationship
Montag is in the process of “dying” and being “reborn” with a new identity
the books and ideas are cleansing him of his old beliefs and ways of living
Mildred is beginning to understand the process of “rebirth” through knowledge
At the beginning of part 2, Montag decides to leave Mildred and go visit Faber. As he walks outside, the rain stops. All of the following are possible symbolic functions of the rain motif in this scene EXCEPT:
Montag has been successfully “cleansed” of his old beliefs and ways of living
Montag has chosen to take the path towards Faber, which represents his “rebirth”
Montag has decided to try to “resurrect” his relationship with Mildred; the lack of rain implied his positive outlook
Montag has come out of the darkness/rain clouds (ignorance) and into the sunlight (knowledge)
According to Faber, to fix this society, people are in need of quality ________________________.
literature and information
jobs and leisure activities
social time and family lives
knowledge and sports
Which of the following quotations from the text reinforces the light/dark motif?
“The numbness will go away, he thought.”
“Maybe the books can get us half out of the cave.”
“They are so confident they will run on forever. But they won’t run on.”
“The Salamander boomed to a halt, throwing men off in slips and clumsy hops.”
Montag states that books “just might stop us from making the same damn insane mistakes.” Using inferential skills, we can determine that this directly relates to:
symbolism, because books represent anti-conformity
motifs, because books reflect the rain symbolism
characterization, because this reveals Beatty’s character
theme, because it reflects a message from Bradbury
What do Mildred’s friends’ political views reflect about their characters and society as a whole?
deep thinking about political and social issues is common among most voters
political involvement takes place primarily on a local level
shallow and superficial thinking is acceptable and celebrated
criticisms of political candidates is suppressed by oppressive governmental forces
What is the most likely reason for Clara reacting so strongly to Montag’s reading of “Dover Beach?”
she recalls reading the poem as a child, and it makes her nostalgic
she is moved by the emotional weight and intensity of the words because it’s not something she encounters in her regular life
she is terrified that punitive measures will be taken for Montag’s book possession, and that she’ll get in trouble, also
she remembers the time when she and her husband once read the same poem together
According to Faber, why should people NOT hide their ignorance?
without showing it, people will never get the chance to learn
ignorance should be praised and applauded
if it’s hidden, people won’t get the chance to judge you
if you don’t show it, people will assume you think you’re better than they are
Which of the following quotations represents the conformity of this society?
“Faber was a gray moth asleep in his ear, for the moment.”
“He put his hand to one side, palm up, for a gift. Montag put the book in it.”
“Well, the crisis is past and all is well, the sheep returns to the fold.”
“What traitors books can be! You think they’re backing you up, and they turn on you.”
Interpret the following quotation: “The age thinks better of a gilded fool than of a threadbare saint in wisdom’s school.”
fools often have the most wisdom, no matter the era in which they live
people in this society are superficial and think better of fools than they do of people with wisdom
in the present times, saints are the people with the most wisdom
schooling in this era takes away wisdom and turns people into fools
At the end of this section, why has Beatty most likely decided to be the one to drive the Salamander?
he is on a special mission to finally “take down” Faber and all of his co-conspirators
he no longer trusts any of his firemen because he suspects many of them sympathize with the anti-book-burning cause
he knows he is going to Montag’s house and wants to be the one to take Montag there, to prove a point
he wants to get to Clarisse’s old house as soon as possible, because he suspects her family has returned
Identify the character which speaks the following line: "And besides, if Captain Beatty knew about those books - he might come and burn the house and the 'family.' That's awful! Think of our investment. Why should I read? What FOR?"
Montag
Mildred
Faber
Captain Beatty
Identify the character which speaks the following line: "My wife's dying. A friend of mine's dead already. Someone who may have been a friend was burnt less than twenty-four hours ago. You're the only one I knew might help me. To see."
Montag
Mildred
Faber
Captain Beatty
Identify the character which speaks the following line: "And when finally they set the structure to burn the books using the fireman, I grunted a few times and subsided, for there were no others grunting or yelling with me, by then. Now it's too late."
Montag
Mildred
Faber
Captain Beatty
Identify the character which speaks the following line: "I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough, it'll make sense. And I want you to teach me to understand what I read."
Montag
Mildred
Faber
Captain Beatty
Identify the character which speaks the following line: "Go to the firehouse when it's time. I'll be with you. Let's listen to this Captain Beatty together. He could be one of us. God knows. I'll give you things to say."
Montag
Mildred
Faber
Captain Beatty
Identify the character which speaks the following line: "Oh God, the way they jabber about people and their own children and themselves and the way they talk about their husbands and the way they talk about war, dammit, I stand here and I can't believe it!"
Montag
Mildred
Faber
Captain Beatty
Identify the character which speaks the following line: "Montag, listen only one way out, play it as a joke, cover up, pretend you aren't mad at all. Then - walk to your wall incinerator, and throw the book in!"
Montag
Mildred
Faber
Captain Beatty
Identify the character which speaks the following line: "Do you know, I had a dream an hour ago. I lay down for a catnap and in this dream you and I, Montag, got into a furious debate on books. You towered with rage, yelled quotes at me. I calmly parried every thrust... Stick with the firemen, Montag. All else is dreary chaos."
Montag
Mildred
Faber
Captain Beatty
