The Flying Machine
Ian Kowalski
Mr. Klatt
ENG 3U1 -70
23 March 2015
Literary Analysis of “The Flying Machine” “The Flying Machine” by Ray Bradbury is set in ancient China in an empire, ruled by Emperor Yuan. The story examines individual ideas of power that are portrayed as beauty and the fear of technological advancement outside of the control of the Emperor. It is told in the third person perspective and includes many literary devices and descriptive elements to explore the individual character’s differing ideas of beauty. Also examined, are the ethics of containing technological advancement and possible negative ramifications of technology evolving and therefore the loss of ultimate control over his empire. The emperor considers his empire to be beautiful when all is in order and his people are fully under his control. The flying machine exposes his vulnerability and puts his power at risk. These are some of the core ideas that “The Flying Machine” explores. Through the use and development of literary devices such as tone, diction, imagery, and very specific themes, Bradbury effectively displays the importance of the possible negative outcome of technology moving forward too quickly and resulting in risks to the Emperor’s empire.
One of the themes of the story is the ethics around the creation of technology and the fear of change; the fear of change in technological advancement and the negative impact it could have on mankind and providing freedom. Towards the end of the story, the Emperor mentions he does not fear the creator of the flying machine, but rather another man with “an evil face and an evil heart” (Bradbury 4). He is afraid that another man will not see the beauty in what the inventor has created, but instead he will see it as an opportunity for corrupt and destructive plans such as the freedom to move outside the walls. If this invention were to allow people to leave the walls, the Emperors authority would be demolished. One of the important parts of being
Mr. Klatt
ENG 3U1 -70
23 March 2015
Literary Analysis of “The Flying Machine” “The Flying Machine” by Ray Bradbury is set in ancient China in an empire, ruled by Emperor Yuan. The story examines individual ideas of power that are portrayed as beauty and the fear of technological advancement outside of the control of the Emperor. It is told in the third person perspective and includes many literary devices and descriptive elements to explore the individual character’s differing ideas of beauty. Also examined, are the ethics of containing technological advancement and possible negative ramifications of technology evolving and therefore the loss of ultimate control over his empire. The emperor considers his empire to be beautiful when all is in order and his people are fully under his control. The flying machine exposes his vulnerability and puts his power at risk. These are some of the core ideas that “The Flying Machine” explores. Through the use and development of literary devices such as tone, diction, imagery, and very specific themes, Bradbury effectively displays the importance of the possible negative outcome of technology moving forward too quickly and resulting in risks to the Emperor’s empire.
One of the themes of the story is the ethics around the creation of technology and the fear of change; the fear of change in technological advancement and the negative impact it could have on mankind and providing freedom. Towards the end of the story, the Emperor mentions he does not fear the creator of the flying machine, but rather another man with “an evil face and an evil heart” (Bradbury 4). He is afraid that another man will not see the beauty in what the inventor has created, but instead he will see it as an opportunity for corrupt and destructive plans such as the freedom to move outside the walls. If this invention were to allow people to leave the walls, the Emperors authority would be demolished. One of the important parts of being