Irony In Ray Bradbury's 'The Pedestrian'
Katie Virant
Words Brought to Life
English- 4th Period
November 30, 2009
Ray Bradbury, well-known American author, playwright, and poet, created his success on no more than his high school diploma. He did, however, learn many valuable lessons in life which he incorporates in his works. Ray Bradbury uses figurative language such as irony, personification, and imagery to artistically present his vision of life’s morals. Bradbury’s use of irony in his pieces establishes how mankind commonly contradicts himself. In “The Veldt”, George and Lydia hear screams that “sound familiar” but ignore them. The couple also finds their wallet and scarf and disregards how these items were chewed and covered in blood when they found them. George …show more content…
In “The Pedestrian”, he described the highways as “only dry riverbeds” empty of vehicles. Bradbury also points out the “tomblike buildings” and “gray phantoms” along the sides of the road. These vivid descriptions allow the reader to feel the loneliness and absence of life in the city and its streets. The imagery in “The Pedestrian” sets the mood and describes the setting. “The Foghorn” portrays another source of imagery. Bradbury makes the reader visualize the “long grey lawn of the sea stretching away into nothing and nowhere” with his descriptive vocabulary. He describes how the “stone tower” emitted a light that flashed red and white out to the “lonely ships” “in the cold water far from land.” This makes the reader understand how secluded McDunn and Johnny were out at the lighthouse and intensifies the oddness of the appearance of the sea monster. Imagery is also present when McDunn explains to Johnny how the monster “hid away in the Deeps.” The way he describes the “Deeps” makes it all seem magical yet realistic. Bradbury continues to use imagery in “The Happiness Machine.” Towards the end of the short story, Leo discovers a real happiness machine. When he describes this “machine,” he makes the reader visualize a pleasant and warm home filled with joy. This example of imagery contrasts how Bradbury typically uses his words to display desolation and
Words Brought to Life
English- 4th Period
November 30, 2009
Ray Bradbury, well-known American author, playwright, and poet, created his success on no more than his high school diploma. He did, however, learn many valuable lessons in life which he incorporates in his works. Ray Bradbury uses figurative language such as irony, personification, and imagery to artistically present his vision of life’s morals. Bradbury’s use of irony in his pieces establishes how mankind commonly contradicts himself. In “The Veldt”, George and Lydia hear screams that “sound familiar” but ignore them. The couple also finds their wallet and scarf and disregards how these items were chewed and covered in blood when they found them. George …show more content…
In “The Pedestrian”, he described the highways as “only dry riverbeds” empty of vehicles. Bradbury also points out the “tomblike buildings” and “gray phantoms” along the sides of the road. These vivid descriptions allow the reader to feel the loneliness and absence of life in the city and its streets. The imagery in “The Pedestrian” sets the mood and describes the setting. “The Foghorn” portrays another source of imagery. Bradbury makes the reader visualize the “long grey lawn of the sea stretching away into nothing and nowhere” with his descriptive vocabulary. He describes how the “stone tower” emitted a light that flashed red and white out to the “lonely ships” “in the cold water far from land.” This makes the reader understand how secluded McDunn and Johnny were out at the lighthouse and intensifies the oddness of the appearance of the sea monster. Imagery is also present when McDunn explains to Johnny how the monster “hid away in the Deeps.” The way he describes the “Deeps” makes it all seem magical yet realistic. Bradbury continues to use imagery in “The Happiness Machine.” Towards the end of the short story, Leo discovers a real happiness machine. When he describes this “machine,” he makes the reader visualize a pleasant and warm home filled with joy. This example of imagery contrasts how Bradbury typically uses his words to display desolation and