Summary Of The Pedestrian By Ray Bradbury

Future of Humankind Ray Bradbury illustrates Society in 2053 A.D throughout his short story “The Pedestrian” as dead body’s isolated and lifeless in tomb house’s; ultimately, being controlled by technology. Although Mr. Leonard Mead is only going for a stroll at night: Bradbury describes the neighbours peering from behind their windows as alarmed to see someone outside, “...and lights might click on and faces appear and an entire street is startled by the passing of a lone figure...” (Bradbury 1). Bradbury makes it seem like it is not normal for anyone to leave their house at night, implying the isolation of society to the world around them. It is also indicated that Mr. Mead was getting interrogated by a cop car rather than another human,
“‘Your name?’ said the police car in a metallic whisper.” (1). This exemplifies the use of technology and because Mr. Mead follows directions right away it presents the idea of how controlled the society is by the robot cars. As Mr. Mead was getting interrogated by the car he was reflecting on overall society and reveals the true inertia in society, “...where the people sat like the dead, the grey or multicoloured lights touching their faces, but never really touching them.” (2). Bradbury illustrates that society is a lifeless dead body sitting on the couch, and watching TV but not actually understanding. Mr. Mead presents a society in 2053 A.D as lifeless body’s that never leave their homes because they are all completely controlled by technology.