"The Pedestrian"

"The pedestrian"(1951)

by Ray Bradbury

presented by: carson brannan

a cold, misty, silent evening in november....

It is AD 2053, and the world is a silent, lonely place, especially at night. The protagonist, Leonard Mead, loves to walk at night, but he is the only person on the street. The rest of the world is at home, in front of their televisions, staring at the gray or multi-colored lights. It doesn't matter which way he goes, he knows he won't come across another human being. A block away from his home, a car from out of nowhere shines a fierce light on him. It is the one police car left in the city.

The police question Mead and decide he needs to be taken to the psychiatric center for regressive tendencies based on the fact he isn't behaving like the rest of the world.

The robotic police car opens the door and tells him to get inside. As the car moves down the street, past his home, Mead realizes he will spend the rest of his life locked up. This short story, told in third-person, shows a great example of the conflict between conformity vs. individualism.

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Mead has different views and thoughts then the rest of the world that he lives in. He believes in human interaction and bonding. Not the bleak, disconnected world that surrounds him.

Bradbury follows a chronological plot structure. He bases his short story around a single event in his main character, Leonard Mead's life. Bradbury uses literary devices such as foreshadowing, symbolism, and imagery throughout the story.

Mood:Bradbury develops the mood of lonliness throughout the story by using personification an similies. Example: “there were whisperings and murmurs where a window in a tomb-like building was still open” This shows how quiet and empty houses were with no movement going on inside.

Tone: The tone of the story is dark, gray, and dismal. Bradbury also shows isolation and an eerie feeling throughout. Starting with the description of the empty streets outside followed by the cold steel-like interior of the police car.

Review:

About the Author:Ray bradbury

The Pedestrian is a must read! This science fiction read is surprisingly relevant. The disconnection of humanity the author portrays throughout the story really makes you take a look of your own life. How much time do you spend on your phone? Watching TV? I think this is one of the most thought provoking short stories I've ever read.

Symbolism Example:

"Everything went on in the tomb-like houses at night now, he thought, continuing his fancy. The tombs ill-lit by television light, where the people sat like the dead, the grey multi-colored lights touching their faces, but never really touching them". This symbolizes how technology has taken over society and how people no longer interact with one another.

Foreshadowing Example From "The Pedestrian":

"He turned on a side street, circling his way towards home". This foreshadows that something is about to happen on his way home.

Example of Imagery:

Bradbury symbolizes death in this short story. He does this by emphasizing what life would b like in a world where technology and progress drive humanity away.. For example, the story is set in November which is the coming of winter indicating death is coming. Another example, "The dead leaves scattered on the ground are etched with a "skeletal pattern". This also shows death.