What was the conflict in The Pedestrian?

The text shown above is just an extract. Only members can read the full content.

Get access to the full Study Guide.

As a member of PrimeStudyGuides.com, you get access to all of the content.

Sign up now

Already a member? Log in

Can conforming to a culture prove beneficial to one's character? Or will it have permanent, damaging effects on an individual’s state of mind? “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury is an introduction to the idea of the conflict between personal desire, and an obligation to behave according to the social norm. Ray Bradbury antagonizes a world of technological advancements. It is valuable to note that the story is a reflection of Bradbury’s concerns of an automotive world. These concerns stem from the endangerment of writing as a consequence of technological innovations, since new technology comes hand-in-hand with new forms of media. This explains Bradbury’s antagonization of a world that relies on technology considering the inevitable decision between conforming to ever-evolving standards, or fulfilling personal desires. In this case, Bradbury had the choice of either adapting to new advancements and self-expressing through modern forms of media, while sacrificing the enjoyment as well as the familiarity of future work, or refusing to conform and sacrificing success. The standardization of television was an endangerment of professional writing, which the author expressed in the story. For instance, the robot implied that writing has become obsolete by stating that the protagonist had no profession. The short story “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury is an explicit representation of the conflict between personal desire and having to conform to society.

An individual who refuses to submit to the pressure of a dominant culture will become cast out. This introduces a conflict between personal desire, and yielding to the surrounding civilization. Mr. Mead was cast out as a direct consequence of refusing to adopt the behavioural standards of other members of the society. This becomes evident when Mr. Mead’s is cast out by a police officer, and transported to “the Psychiatric Center for Research on Regressive Tendencies." Mr. Mead is also cast out by fellow citizens when, through the windows on the street “faces appear and an entire street be startled by the passing of a lone figure” when carrying out what Mr. Mead “most dearly loved to do.” In Bradbury’s dystopian society, being an outcast has dire consequences. Thus

🏠

Subjects

➗

🧪

🏛️

📺

🤝

💻

💰

📚

Resources

📓

🏆

💯

❓

🔀

🎭

In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask that you confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation.