What do you think Beatty means when he says the sheep returns to the fold Fahrenheit 451?

Answer 1

It means that Montag is returning to his job as a fireman. Sheep are known as blind followers and Beatty is talking about how Montag returned to his job which Beatty knows, Montag knows, is wrong.

Answer 2

When Beatty says "the sheep returns to the fold" in Fahrenheit 451, he is alluding to the idea that people are easily swayed by conformity and are willing to return to the safety of the status quo, even if it means sacrificing their individuality and critical thinking skills. Beatty is highlighting how society has prioritized comfort and compliance over intellectual freedom and independent thought.