The Pedestrian Imagery Analysis

Imagery is a powerful tool that great authors use to draw the reader into the story and make them feel as if they are living alongside the characters that have been so diligently created. Ray Bradbury was no stranger to this technique. Some would argue his use of imagery throughout his work is genius. He had the ability to paint such a vivid a picture for the reader, that one feels as if they are seeing the events of the story unfold before their eyes. His use of imagery went beyond simply describing something or someone looks like; Bradbury was able to touch all of the reader's senses. He was able to make one feel, smell and see the environment he so painstakingly created.

Imagery is a key element to any good story. It gives text the amazing

In, “The Pedestrian” Bradbury writes, “The cement was vanishing under flowers and grass.” This statement says so much more than simply describing the flowers and grass. It paints not only a picture of beautiful flowers, but it makes the reader think of how people are taking the beauty of nature for granted. We continue to build and focus on what we call progress. We are driven by technology. Everyone wants to be the first one to make advancements in all areas of technology. As soon as we buy the latest computer or cell phone, a newer version is released. However, we are missing out on the beautiful things in life, the simpler things that are right in front of us if we only take the time to look up from our technology. Also, in “There Will Come Soft Rain” Bradbury writes, “The entire west face of the house was black, save for five places. Here, the silhouette ,in paint, of a man mowing a lawn. Here, in a photograph, a woman bent to pick flowers. Still farther over, their images burned on wood in one titanic instant, a small boy, hands flung into the air; higher up, the image of a thrown ball, and opposite him a girl, hands raised to catch a ball which never came down.” A sudden sadness comes upon the reader as we begin to understand, everyone is dead. As Bradbury describes the family here, he uses imagery to paint a picture of an innocence we can relate to. The little boy and girl playing ball, the daddy mowing the lawn while mom is gardening; this is a family the reader can connect with. This could be any of our homes. Had these details been left out, we would not have an emotional connection with the story. As we continue to read, we begin to realize our world could be headed for a nuclear disaster if we continue down the path that we are on. Countries are making bigger, stronger weapons and bombs. What would happen if World War III occurred? If each