There Will Come Soft Rains Personification Essay
Dr. Lewis
English 1102
February 10, 2014
Metaphors and Houses The story “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury is full of symbolism in the form of personification. Bradbury uses this personification to paint an image of a grim and perilous future. The setting is symbolic of what the future could look like and the house represents robots taking over responsibilities. Bradbury uses personification to bring life to this house and to make his story have a bigger impact on the reader. The personification adds to the story a deeper and more possible meaning which adds a bigger urgency to the story. An example of the robotic nature of the world and to set up his story, Bradbury writes “At eight-thirty the eggs were shriveled and the toast was like stone. An aluminum wedge scraped them into the sink, where hot water whirled them down a metal …show more content…
Bradbury writes, “The wind blew. A failing tree bough crashed through the kitchen window. Cleaning solvent, bottled, shattered over the stove. The room was ablaze in an instant! "Fire!" screamed a voice. The house lights flashed, water pumps shot water from the ceilings. But the solvent spread on the linoleum, licking, eating, under the kitchen door, while the voices took it up in chorus: "Fire, fire, fire!” (Bradbury 3). The author uses symbolism in describing the fire. Not only is the fire destroying the house, but it is also gigantic and is spreading quickly. This fire is used to symbolize the downfall of man. The author also personifies the fire. The solvent that caught fire and caused it to spread quickly was described as “licking”, and “eating” further personifying the fire. The house tries to stop the spread of the fire by spraying a chemical. The house yells “Fire, fire, fire!” because it “feels” as though it is threatened by the fire. The house and fire are personified as being enemies in a constant
English 1102
February 10, 2014
Metaphors and Houses The story “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury is full of symbolism in the form of personification. Bradbury uses this personification to paint an image of a grim and perilous future. The setting is symbolic of what the future could look like and the house represents robots taking over responsibilities. Bradbury uses personification to bring life to this house and to make his story have a bigger impact on the reader. The personification adds to the story a deeper and more possible meaning which adds a bigger urgency to the story. An example of the robotic nature of the world and to set up his story, Bradbury writes “At eight-thirty the eggs were shriveled and the toast was like stone. An aluminum wedge scraped them into the sink, where hot water whirled them down a metal …show more content…
Bradbury writes, “The wind blew. A failing tree bough crashed through the kitchen window. Cleaning solvent, bottled, shattered over the stove. The room was ablaze in an instant! "Fire!" screamed a voice. The house lights flashed, water pumps shot water from the ceilings. But the solvent spread on the linoleum, licking, eating, under the kitchen door, while the voices took it up in chorus: "Fire, fire, fire!” (Bradbury 3). The author uses symbolism in describing the fire. Not only is the fire destroying the house, but it is also gigantic and is spreading quickly. This fire is used to symbolize the downfall of man. The author also personifies the fire. The solvent that caught fire and caused it to spread quickly was described as “licking”, and “eating” further personifying the fire. The house tries to stop the spread of the fire by spraying a chemical. The house yells “Fire, fire, fire!” because it “feels” as though it is threatened by the fire. The house and fire are personified as being enemies in a constant