Fahrenheit 451 - Part 2

Part Two of Fahrenheit 451 is known as "The Sieve and the Sand", which refers to a memory from Guy's childhood. His cousin said he'd pay Guy a dime if he could get the sieve full of sand. Needless to say, Guy failed miserably. This section of the book is appropriately named. Like the sand in the sieve, Guy realises that his happiness along with the rest of his world's has been slipping away despite the world trying to fill everyone with happiness. No one can be happy if the world is "perfect"; it is just not how things work.

Montag was worried about understanding the meaning of the words in the books, especially the poetry, but I found that pretty silly. Even if you don't understand what was written, you should still be able to appreciate the rhythm and sound of the words as you read them. Good writers know that it's more than what you're trying to say that matters. It's how you say it. It's good that he wants to learn, but he shouldn't worry too much about it yet. If he can just enjoy it, the understanding will come later. Then, once he understands, he will be able to interpret it and form opinions. From those opinions, there will be thoughts. That is how the human mind works, but he just has not realized it yet.

On a different note, I feel really bad for the old man that Montag met with. He was alive when they started to burn the books and morph society. He lost his job because only one student signed up for his class on plays. I can't even imagine that. I also can't believe that he didn't speak up when all those events were just starting. Maybe if he had had the courage to say something, he would have inspired others and they could have fought against what was happening. This makes me a bit irritated with him, but I understand that sometimes people are just too timid. I, myself, tend to be timid when things are happening around me. Unfortunately, I believe that I would have been quiet as well if people started to burn books, even though I feel strongly against it.
I really enjoyed the last section of part two. "Why," Montag said slowly, "we've stopped in front of my house." That's just great. One of the ladies his wife had over must have turned him in because he read them poetry. A really great twist would be if the old man had reported Montag. I doubt the wife would have turned her husband in because she wouldn't want the firemen to burn down her parlor with its TV walls. I wonder if they'll find the books now that Montag stashed them outside. Lucky he moved them earlier before going to work. I will just have to see what happens, but I am really enjoying this novel. I can not wait to see what happens next!