The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis PDF

The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis Part 1: 5 Things Identify and record each of the 5 Things for the Pedestrian. Key Term The Pedestrian The setting is set in future tense in the year 2053, it is described as a misty 1. Setting evening in No...

The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis Part 1: 5 Things Identify and record each of the 5 Things for the Pedestrian. Key Term The Pedestrian The setting is set in future tense in the year 2053, it is described as a misty 1. Setting evening in November, in a large unnamed city and the time is 8:00 pm at nighttime. The story takes place in a desolate, empty city at night, which emphasizes the stark contrast between Leonard Mead, who is the protagonist. The setting highlights themes such as insolation, conformity, and the loss of individuality. The streets are quiet and lifeless, reflecting the world where human interactions are replaced by technology as society is glued to their screens indoors. The bleak atmosphere enhances Mead’s sense of alienation as he navigates through a city where society has abandoned the simple pleasure of walking and experiencing the world without technology. The conflict of the story begins to arise from Leonard Meed’s struggle against his 2. Conflict conformist society, which had abandoned human interactions between each other, in Favor of technology and entertainment The conflict can be identified as man versus society. Mead’s nightly walks throughout the dark streets serve as an act of rebellion against a society which views acts such as walking in the streets as obsolete. His arrest by the police for simply walking outdoors underscores the societal disdain for those who are defying societal norms. The conflict in this story demonstrates themes of isolation, loss of freedom and rights, the dangers of technological overreach, which ultimately portrays a stark warning about the future and how technology could fully replace human connections Leonard Mead: Leonard Mead is the protagonist or main character. He is a 3. Character solitary man who enjoys taking evening walks through the isolated streets of the city. He represents a sense of individuality and love for life within a society that is stagnant and has become obsessed with technology. The Police Car; Although the police car is not a character from a traditional approach to storytelling, it serves as a representation of societal control. It embodies the oppressive forces that enforce and normalize a technology-driven world and society. The absent citizens: The people of the city who remain indoors absorbed by their televisions. These characters can be depicted as a collective entity rather than being individuals, which show the dehumanizing effects of technology on a society. These characters illustrate the central themes of isolation, conformity, as well as the tension between individuality and what society has normalized. The story’s plot begins with Mead establishing his love for a simple outdoor walk, 4. Plot an activity which has become less common in a society where people are glued to their screens and no longer find joy in venturing outdoors. As he is strolling through the empty streets, Mead reflects on the eerie silence and absence of life in his society, which shows the stark contrast between his appreciation for the world around him, and the isolation of the others who are  The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis captivated by technology. But despite the bleakness that surrounds him, he still finds joy in his walks. However, one day his peaceful walk is interrupted when a police car approaches him, and he gets questioned by an officer, ultimately leading to his arrest for simply walking outside. The reason for Mead’s arrest emphasizes the oppressive nature of his society that views his individuality as a threat or something wrong. The story ends with Mead being taken to prison. Showing themes of isolation, and a loss of human connection in a society which is dominated by technology. The pedestrian explores several key themes, but the main theme is the conflict 5. Theme between individuality and conformity in a society dominated by technology. The story creates a bigger emphasis on the dangers of losing human connection as people within Leonard’s society become increasingly absorbed in their screens. The characteristics of Leonard Mead represents individuality, as well as the desire for authentic experiences such as the simple joys of life that you can never get from being glued to a screen, while the people around him exemplify a chilling conformity which prioritizes technology over genuine interactions between other individuals. The theme of this story serves us a cautionary reminder of the potential consequences of allowing technology to replace human interactions, and to dictate our lives and diminish humanity. Another way to refer to the theme is man versus society (we can identify the theme using the conflict): The conflict illustrates the boarder theme of isolation vs connection. Mead’s experience underscores the consequences of a culture that prioritizes technological engagements over real human interaction, ultimately portraying a dystopian reality where an individual's desire for freedom, and authentic human experience is stifled by societal expectations. Part 2: Story Structure Identify and record each part of the Story Structure for the Pedestrian. Key Term The Pedestrian The story begins by introducing Leonard Mead, who is a man who enjoys taking 1. Exposition long solitary walks through a quiet, dystopian city. The setting of the story is characterized by eerie silence and darkened homes all over where everyone stays indoors and are instead glued to their screens. The streets are empty, and the environment feels oppressive, highlighting the disconnection between individuals and the outside world/society. This disconnection establishes Mead as a unique character or who’s personality or way of thinking in the story is different among those around him. Mead values human experience and nature over the pervasive technology which dominated his society. 2. Rising Action As Mead continues to walk, slowly the narrative unfolds his thoughts, feelings, and ideas about the world that is around him. He reflects on the lack of interaction between other characters and their strange behaviour, as they are more engaged with technology, rather than with reality and the world. The rising tension continues to build as Mead soon encounters a police car, which is an unusual occurrence in such a deserted city. The police who is representing authority over  The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis the technology dominated world, becomes increasingly suspicious about Mead’s behaviour especially including his nightly strolls around the city. This indicates a conflict between his individuality and societal norms. This type of conflict can be referred to as man versus society. The climax occurs when the Police car pulls over and stops Mead and confronts 3. Climax him about his actions. This encounter reveals the oppressive nature of the society he is living in; the officer begins to question why he is taking an outdoor walk instead of staying indoors and be glued to his devices like the rest of society, which everyone seems to find acceptable without any second thoughts. This moment crystallizes the central conflict of the story: Mead’s desire for connection with the outside world and freedom versus a society which has neglected and abandoned those values in favour of technology. Ater Mead’s confrontation, the police arrests Mead which illustrates (shows) the 4. Falling Action extent to which the society has lost touch with the outside world. The officer’s reaction is cold which underscores the chilling reality that being a pedestrian-or, more broadly embracing one’s own individuality, human experience, and life is seen as a crime or shameful act. As Mead is being taken away by police, the narrator emphasizes the stark difference between the vibrant thoughtful existence and the sterile technology-dominated lives of the citizens in his city. The story ends with Mead being driven away in the police car, which symbolizes 5. Resolution. his loss of freedom. The final lines: “The police car rolled through the night avenues, flashing its dim lights ahead. They passed one house on one street a moment later, one house in an entire city of houses that were dark, but this one house had all its electric lights brightly lit, every window a loud yellow illumination, square and warm in the cool darkness. "That's my house," said Leonard Mead. No one answered him. The car moved down the empty riverbed streets and off away, leaving the empty streets with the empty sidewalks, and no sound and no motion all the rest of the chill November night. “ The final lines of the story, these convey Mead’s feeling of isolation, and loss of freedom. The empty streets and sidewalks reflect a world devoid of life and human connection, which emphasizes the oppressive nature of a society which has forsaken individual expression for technology and conformity. Mead’s solitary walk sharply contrasts with the vibrant artificial lighting of his house, which suggests that his home symbolizes both feelings of warmth and entrapment. The police car’s movement away from his home, along with the chilling silence of the night, reinforces his alienation; he is left in a world which no longer values human interactions or the simple act of taking an outdoor walk. Part 3: Literary Devices  The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis For each example, identify what literary device it is in the Literary Device column and explain what it is describing in the Explanation column. Example Literary Device Explanation 1. “he would see the Metaphor The literary device used in that phrase is a cottages and homes Metaphor. It is comparing Mead’s experience of with seeing the cottages and homes with dark their dark windows, windows to walking through a graveyard, and it was not unequal which suggests a feeling of emptiness and to gloom. The use of ‘not unequal to” emphasizes walking through a the similarity of both places: dark, dystopian, graveyard.” depressing. 2. “where only the Imagery and alliteration The literary device used in that phrase was faintest imagery. It was used to create a vivid visual glimmers of firefly scene, evoking the soft, fleeting lights of fireflies. light appeared in Additionally, it uses alliteration with the flickers behind repetition of the f sound in words such as faintest the windows.” and flickers, which adds a lyrical quality to the description. 3. “Sudden grey Imagery, personification, This phrase employs several literary devices phantoms seemed to metaphor, contrast manifest upon inner Imagery: The description of "sudden grey room walls where a phantoms" and "inner room walls" creates a curtain was vivid visual image, ultimately evoking a sense still undrawn against of eeriness. the night.” Personification: The phantoms are described as if they can "manifest," giving them a human or life-like quality. Metaphor: The term "phantoms" suggests something ghostly, which could represent thoughts or memories. 4. “or there were Imagery, metaphor, Imagery: The description of "whisperings and whisperings and personification, juxtaposition. murmurs" evokes a sensory experience, murmurs where a suggesting sounds that create an eerie window in a tomb- atmosphere. like building was still open.” Metaphor: The term "tomb-like building" compares the building to a tomb, suggesting it is lifeless or foreboding. Personification: The sounds are described as if they can whisper and murmur, giving them a human-like quality. Juxtaposition: The contrast between the open window and the tomb-like nature of the building which outlines the tension between openness and entrapment. 5. “But now Simile, Imagery, Symbolism, Simile: The comparison of highways to “Streams these highways, too, Personification in a dry season” emphasizes their emptiness and  The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis were like streams in a bareness, using the word like. dry season, all stone and Imagery: Phrases like “stone and bed and moon bed and moon radiance” create vivid visual images, which radiance.” evokes the starkness and beauty of the place. Symbolism: Highways can symbolize journey, or movement. Their desolate state suggests a sense of abandonment. Personification: While not overt, the phrase can imply a sense of lifelessness in the highways, as if they are not fulfilling their purpose. Part 4: Sci-Fi Conventions For each convention, put a check mark in the check box and provide evidence from the text to prove why you think the text has the convention. ( I highlight the ones I pick) Conventions In Text Textual Evidence Setting Time: Textual evidence: The story is set in A.D. 2053, which indicates a - Future earth futuristic timeline... “in this world of A.D. 2053” - Alternate timeline - Human past, but different history Setting Place: Textual evidence: The absence of people and only one police car - Space suggest a society which heavily relies on technology: “In a city of - Alien planets three million, there was only one police car left” - Other planets - Technology developed society Plot: Danger, threat, evil: - Danger, threat, evil - Technologically Textual evidence: The encounter with the police car creates a sense advanced enemy of danger as well as oppressive atmosphere: “Stand still. Stay where - Technologically you are! Don’t move!” developed society - New technology (spaceship) Different Political system: - New Scientific principles (time Textual evidence: The dystopian element is highlighted by the lack travel) of social interaction and the oppressive nature of the society: - Different political “Everything went on in the tomblike houses at night now.” system (utopia/dystopia) Character: AI: - Alien - Robot Textual evidence: The police car functions with a mechanical voice - Android and decision-making capability: “The police car in a metallic - Computers whisper” - AI  The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis - Human hero Human hero: - Human with Special Abilities Textual evidence: Leonard Mead is portrayed as a solitary figure resisting societal norms, which embodies the “Human Hero” in a dystopian world: “He would stand upon the corner of an intersection...deciding which way to go.” Themes: A warning about technology: - A warning about technology Textual evidence: The story warns against the isolation technology - Raises moral can create, as seen in the silence of the houses as well as the questions about overwhelming presence of the police car: “the grey or multi-coloured human actions lights touching their faces, but never really touching them.” - A suggestion that the future is worse A suggestion that the future if worse because of what we do now: because of what we do now Textual Evidence: The text reflects on a society in which they have become passive and disconnected with the real world due to technology replacing human interaction and activity, which indicates a regression: “In ten years of walking by night or day, for thousands of miles, he had never met another person walking, not once in all that time.” Part 5: Responding Questions Answer each question in the space below 1. What adjectives would you use to describe the atmosphere (mood) established in the opening paragraphs? The atmosphere established in the opening paragraphs of the story is marked by a lonely and eerie quality, which is then enhanced by the misty setting of a November evening. The silence of the city pervading the empty streets evokes a sense of isolation, as Mr. Mead wanders through a world that feels abandoned. The use of cold imagery such as frosty air, and dark windows, contributes to creating a chilling ambiance, which can suggest both physical and emotional starkness. Additionally, the nostalgic undertones reflect Mr. Mead's longing for connection in a society that has turned against him, where the faint glimmers of life behind closed curtains feel ghostly. 2. List some words and phrases from the opening paragraphs that illustrate the mood. Silence-emphasizes feeling of isolation Misty Evening-creates a sense of obscurity Buckling concrete walk- suggests abandonment and deterioration Dark windows- evokes feelings of emptiness Walking through a graveyard- reinforces themes of death and solitude Grey phantoms- adds eerie quality Tomb-like building- suggests confinement and desolation Crystal frost-conveys a sharp and cold atmosphere Cold quiet whistle- enhances sense of solitude Faint push of soft shoes- underscores the quietness of Mead’s presence Empty streets- reinforces feelings of abandonment Moonlit avenues- provides a stark, and haunting light  The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis Desolate- captures the overall sense of bareness in the story 3. What does Mead’s “brightly lit” house tell us about him? What evidence in the rest of the story supports this? Mead’s “brightly lit” house serves as a stark contrast to the dark, empty houses which surround it, which suggests that he is an outlier or odd one out, in a society which has turned towards isolation. The light in his home implies warmth and vitality that is absent among others in his society, which indicates his desire for engaging with the rest of the world Supporting evidence from the story includes His solitary walks-Mead's nightly strolls show his need for fresh air and the outside world, which emphasizes his dislike in just staying indoors and watching television which is the norm. His profession as a writer- Although Mead has not written for years, his identity as a writer suggests his sense of individuality and creativity, further highlighting his different personality from those consumed by technology and entertainment. Interaction with the houses around him- Mead's whispers to the houses and him questioning what is on television, show his desire for connecting and communicating with others, which contrast to the silent unresponsive homes that are around him. 4. How would you describe life in this city in the year 2053? Quote a specific example of Bradbury’s use of language that enabled you to arrive at this answer. Life in the city in year 2053 is depicted as bleak and is dominated by technology, which has become something normal. The citizens seem to have retreated into their homes, choosing endless use of technology over real-world interactions, which ultimately resulted in a lifeless environment. A specific example of Bradbury’s language which illustrates this is when Mead reflects "Everything went on in the tomblike houses at night now... where the people sat like the dead, the grey or multicolour lights touching their faces, but never really touching them. "This brief description emphasizes the idea that people are physically present but socially absent. Which likens their existence to that of dead people. The term "tomblike" conveys a sense of confinement and death, reinforcing the notion that the vibrancy of life has been exchanged in favour of entertainment through screens, and unlimited use of television. This stark imagery encapsulates the overall mood of disconnection within the city. 5. Why is Mead arrested? Mead is arrested for walking at night alone, which is an activity deemed abnormal in his isolating society, where most people are glued to their screens and stay indoors. The police car, which represents societal conformity, questions his lack of a profession and not owning a “viewing screen” as a writer, which deviates himself from societal norms. His behaviour and rejection of a passive lifestyle, lead to his arrest for simply wanting to engage with the world around him. 6. What is the effect of the repetition of the word empty at the end of the story? The repetition of the word “empty” at the end of the story emphasizes the profound sense of isolation and desolation in Mead’s world. It emphasizes not only the physical emptiness of the streets and sidewalks but also mentions the vivid society, where human interaction has been replaced with technology. This repetition reinforces the theme of loneliness and the consequences of a life devoid of meaningful interaction. It gives us a stark image of a world stripped of vitality, echoing the emptiness in Mead's own existence as he is taken away, further highlighting the grim reality of his future.  The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis 7. Why did Bradbury have Leonard Mead arrested for walking? What is it about walking that is significant? Bradbury has Leonard Mead arrested for walking to illustrate a future society that is repressive, one that aligns with conformity and frowns upon independent thoughts or other pursuits. In this world, walking is representative of refusals to be passive; it is free, imaginative, and linked to the outdoors-elements that have become extinct as individuals move indoors and are hypnotized by their screen world. The fact that he walks carries a great amount of meaning within himself, with Mead's attitude of attachment to life and the resistance of societal norms that would constrain him like others. His isolated walks as a man told of his singularity and his curiosity that contrasted greatly with the stagnant existence of the majority. In arresting Mead for such a minor act, Bradbury points out the dangers of a culture that suppresses free will and avoids authentic experience in a chillingly foresighted view of a future where even walking is an act of resistance. 8. What social trends does Bradbury observe and see as potential problems for society? In the short story "The Pedestrian," Ray Bradbury considers the trend of technological dependence contributing to social isolation as a critical problem for society. Based on a futuristic dystopian scenario, the narrative will serve as an example of how general consumption of television replaced true human interaction; thus, people like Leonard Mead would walk alone through a silent, lifeless city. It leads to isolation that creates a population devoid of creativity and individualism, such as Mead being a failure as a writer in a world that no longer appreciates literature. The result is a conformist society where walking-a form of deviance from the norm-is suspicious and leads to state control and surveillance. Bradbury predicts the consequences of such trends on individual freedom and the quality of life, in which people would have an empty and disconnected society as the outcome. 9. How do you think television, computers, smart phones, or other modern technological devices could be used to suppress or control people’s thinking? With modern technology at hand including television, computer, and smartphones. People’s thinking could be suppressed or controlled by creating an echo chamber that reinforces a sense of conformity and limits exposure to diverse perspectives, which promotes homogenous thinking. By employing algorithms that filter content according to use preferences, people are often fed a narrow range of information that corresponds to their already held beliefs, hence reducing critical thinking and the capacity for independent thought. That could mean a more passive form of media consumption, whereby users are more concerned with entertainment and superficial engagement rather than discourse. Besides the presence of screens could distract people from interactions with the real world for reflections; it would provide society more willing to accept dictated narratives rather than challenging or even questioning them. 10. Does “The Pedestrian” comment on features of our present society? If so, which ones? How are we liking the world of Leonard Mead? Yes, “The Pedestrian” comments on the isolation and disconnection in contemporary society, highlighting our increasing dependence on technology. In the story, Leonard Mead enjoys walking in a quiet, empty city, contrasting sharply with the pervasive presence of television and screens that keep others indoors. This showcases a world where personal interactions and outdoor experiences are being replaced by virtual realities, raising concerns among people about the loss of individuality and community engagement. 11. What aspects of technology today do you see as isolating people from each other? Mainly, the isolating side of technology is the use of a smartphone and social media. While such tools enable constant access and connection with others, too often they The Pedestrian: Collaborative Analysis foster these online exchanges at the expense of face-to-face communication. This can engender a particular phenomenon known as "phubbing," in which a person ignores those present around him or her and engages instead with his or her device, feeling disconnected and lonely even when one is surrounded by people. This leads eventually to a dependence on screens at the expense of personal and meaningful relationships, with a reduction in the quality of personal contact.