Has Mankind Really Made Progress? A Critical Analysis of the Characterization,Theme, and Imagery of "The Pedestrian"

Police car= artificial light, progress in humanity; "representative of several modern inventions, thereby embodying mankind's advancement. It is itself a robot, and it speaks in a "phonograph voice" through a "radio throat""

"nothing soft"= unfeeling progress

"[n]o profession," it is denying the existence of humanity

Progress sees no need for humanity; therefore, the car makes no real effort to relate to Mr. Mead. It just locks him away in the "black jail" of its back seat and takes him away

Setting: November, near the onset of winter, signifying the coming of death.

Mr. Mead chooses to walk in a "westerly direction," the direction in which the sun sets, it also signifies the coming of death

"If mankind advances to the point where society loses its humanity, then mankind may as well cease to exist."

Bradbury's world without humanity has virtually ceased to exist.

Through the characterization and imagery of "The Pedestrian," Bradbury has given a warning of what life might lie ahead if mankind relinquishes its humanity to progress. It would be a great loss to watch children grow into hard, cold "police cars" rather than warm, human "Mr. Meads."

Mr. Mead

warm light; symbolic of soul

close to the heart of humanity; true representative of humanity.

close to nature

Man is most human when surrounded by the elements.

"shadow of a hawk" = wild and free-spirited bird