Post #3

From the section, 'The Sieve and the Sand"

"Do you know why books such as this are so important? Because they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture. This book has pores. It has features." (Faber, page 83)

This quote describes the importance, the depth, and the dimensions of books; they're more than just paper and ink, but thoughts and philosophy poured on canvas of knowledge. This is important because it shows the nature of the rest of the society and why they have refused to take in works of literature. As previously mentioned, the society feeds everyone of plain facts - which lacks of depth, features, and 'pores' - to keep everyone content. But ideas and the quality of opinions are censored.

This quote is important to me, because I can understand and relate what author is trying to say. As I have read many books in the past, I understand that books are more than just words written on paper, but are ideas and perspectives on life put on behind the covers to deliver the message to everyone living. Words, sentences, and chapters in a book are useless if the idea (the feature, the pores) of the book are not discovered and understood. There is no point of reading a book if you're just reading random words put together!!! You have to understand the quality of the author and his theme/message!

So on the bottom line, Faber is trying to tell Montag that what he is looking for is the meaning contained by the book, rather than just books.

Speaking of qualities and dimensions, let's talk about the lack of dimensions I've stumbled onto whilst reading:

"Fat, too, and didn't dress to hide it. No wonder the landslide was for Winston Noble. Even their names helped. Compare Winston Noble to Hubert Hoag for ten seconds and you can almost figure out the results." (Mrs. Bowles, page 97)

This quote is an excerpt from the conversation of three women regarding politics and the latest election. These women go on and on about how they have voted for Winston Noble because of his looks and appearances. The first thing that came to my mind when I read this was, wow, these women are so shallow. Seriously, these women are voting just by looking at him. What aspects are to be considered when voting? Well, you have to listen to their political platform, consider their skills, their backgrounds, and their abilities. Appearances don't matter! But alas, these women only consider what their eyes can see.

This is an example of people in their society being shallow. Why are they shallow? Well, it all goes back to the lack of depth in people. Since these people only have facts, they only consider the clear facts given from their eyes. (For example, a person looking nice is a fact. You don't have to use much brain-power to see their appearances)

So contradicting to the books with features, qualities, and pores, the people in the society are factual, one dimensional, and lacking in depth. These people carry no meaning - they act based upon the facts and carry on meaningless duties.

These people may be as one dimensional as the parlor walls.