Ray Bradbury’s “The Pedestrian” is a short story published in 1951 that depicts a future world in which technology has eliminated the need for human interaction and activity. In this analysis, I will examine the story through a psychological lens, exploring the forces that motivate the characters, their conscious and unconscious behaviours, conflicts, dreams, emotions, choices, and ethical considerations. The story is set in a futuristic society where technology has rendered people indoors and eliminated the need for walking or even talking. The protagonist, Mr. Leonard Mead, is the only pedestrian on the street, and his evening walks are seen as strange by the rest of society. In the story, Mead is stopped by a police car, and when he is unable …show more content…
The society in which Mead lives has strict norms and expectations, and those who deviate from them are viewed as deviant and dangerous. Mead's behaviour of walking alone at night is seen as a threat to the established order, and he is punished for it. The police officers who arrest Mead are also motivated by a desire to uphold the law and maintain social order. Another force at play in the story is the power of technology. The society depicted in the story is highly advanced, with machines doing most of the work, and people living isolated lives indoors. The characters are motivated by the convenience and ease that technology offers, but they are also limited by it. Mead, on the other hand, is motivated by a desire for connection and human interaction, something that technology cannot provide. The characters' behaviours are mostly conscious, but there are also some unconscious elements at play. Mead's desire to walk alone at night may stem from a deep-seated need for freedom and autonomy, which he may not be consciously aware of. The police officers' behaviour is also influenced by unconscious biases and prejudices, which they may not be aware