The Sieve and the Sand

As I began reading the Sieve and the Sand I became worried that this chapter of the book might not end well. Page 72 reads, “Under the doorsill, a slow, probing sniff, and exhalation of electric steam.” The mechanical hound had discovered their secret.

Continuing through the book I found it interesting how Bradbury used the phrase, “Fill this sieve and you’ll get a dime!” It seems that he feels if you read fast and read it all, maybe some of the knowledge will stick within you. He uses the word “dime” to symbolize the information, ideas or knowledge gained from the books and “sieve” is used to symbolize the mind.

Later, while Guy Montag tries reading over Millie’s laughter he finds that he doesn’t understand what he’s reading. Montag thinks back to a time when he met an old friend named Faber and then goes to visit him in hopes that he is able to teach him the meaning to what he reads. While visiting, Faber shows Montag a small green metal object that reminded him of a seashell radio. Faber and Montag would end up using this for their own good against Captain Beatty.

As the firemen sat playing poker Montag handed his book to Captain Beatty. Guy felt the guilt of his hands. Faber listened in on their conversation and assisted Montag in the conversation. A little later the siren’s had sounded. Beatty was slow to move, he classified it as a “special case” almost as if he was aware of the house they were going to.
When they arrived at the house Beatty was fixated on Guy’s face. Guy was stunned that they had arrived at his front door.

Reading through this chapter of the book really held my attention; I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the beginning of the next chapter. I am wondering if they really will burn Montag’s house or if Beatty is trying to teach him a lesson.