Page 2: Excerpt from Fahrenheit 451
This page contains the beginning of the excerpt from Fahrenheit 451, focusing on Montag's uneasy feelings as he walks home at night. The narrative describes his sense that someone has been waiting for him, creating an atmosphere of tension and anticipation.
Quote: "The air seemed charged with a special calm as if someone had waited there, tense quietly, and only a moment before he came, simply turned to a shadow and let him through."
The text vividly portrays Montag's heightened senses, noting changes in temperature and scent that suggest a presence just beyond his perception. As he turns the corner, he encounters Clarisse for the first time.
Example: The author uses sensory details to build suspense, such as "Perhaps his nose detected a faint perfume, perhaps the skin on the backs of his hands, on his face, felt the temperature rise at this one spot where a person's standing might raise the immediate atmosphere ten degrees for an instant."
The description of Clarisse is poetic and emphasizes her curiosity and aliveness, contrasting with the mechanical and unfeeling world Montag is accustomed to.
Highlight: The autumn setting and the detailed description of Clarisse's appearance and demeanor create a vivid backdrop for this pivotal encounter in the Fahrenheit 451 summary.