Fahrenheit 451 Lesson Plan

What is the meaning of the section title, "The Sand and the Sieve"?

The title of this section provides a metaphor for Montag's frustration at not being able to immediately grasp what is true in the world. Through Montag's own recollection on the train, the reader sees Montag as a young boy, desperately trying to fill a sieve with sand, an impossible task. Likewise, Montag is frustrated to find himself a sieve of sorts, unable to retain what he reads from the Bible, however feverishly he tries. On a larger scale, it becomes apparent that it is not only the words of the Bible, but "truth" in general that Montag finds difficult to attain. Thus, he is frustrated that he cannot...