Ray Bradbury

The Illustrated Man

Science Fiction

Definition:

Fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, often portraying space or time travel and life on other planets

American Science Fiction

• “Golden Age”

– 1940s & 1950s

• Inspired by WWII

– Anxiety arose in response to nuclear weaponry and the impending Cold War.

Advancements during the Era:

• Television

• Highways

• Space travel

• Skyscrapers

• Biological research

• Technology – inspired writers to examine

impact of each on human existence

– still happening TODAY!

Ray Bradbury: Fast Facts

• American

• Born: 1920

• Died: 2012

• Fan of magic and fantasy as a child

• Decided to become a writer at 12 or 13

• Couldn’t afford college; went to libraries instead

Ray Bradbury: Fast Facts

• Best known for:

– Fahrenheit 451

– The Martian Chronicles

– The Illustrated Man

• Genre: Science fiction

– Short stories

– Novels

The Illustrated Man

• Collection of 18 short stories with frame narrative

• Published in 1951

• Set in the future

• Adapted for film in 1963

Themes

– Pitfalls of technology

– Complexities of human psychology

– Morality vs. amorality

– Inevitability of fate

– Faith

– Revenge