1. The Pedestrian
Ray Bradbury

2. Where and when is this story set?
In the first three paragraphs, which colour seems to predominate the city?
What colour predominates in the description of Mead’s house in the fourth last paragraph, and what effect do the two different colours have?
Write down three examples of images of death.
What do you think this choice of images says about Mead’s opinion of the city?
Read paragraphs six and nine. What image of the city is created and why?
In paragraphs five and seven what things does Mead say to the people sitting, oblivious in their homes?

3. 8. Why do you think Mead says those things?
How does the writer describe the cars that swarm the city streets during the day, and why is his description so effective?
At one point in the story Ray Bradbury says that:
people sat like the dead, the grey or multicoloured lights touching their faces, but never really touching them.
What does he mean by this?
What message is Bradbury trying to get across about television?
The three words below could be used to describe Leonard Mead. If there are any that you don’t understand use a dictionary to learn their meaning and then write down, as precisely as you can, why each one applies to him. “independent, regressive, dissident”

4. Intermediate 1/2 Critical Essay
‘The Pedestrian’ by Ray Bradbury
‘ Ray Bradbury’s world is alien and un-accepting. He creates a future which is cold and lonely. Show, by close reference to the features of the story, how the author has expressed his concerns about humankind’s relationship with modern technology.’

5. Plan
Para state the genre, author and title.
Para setting
Para character of Mead
Para character of car.
Para how the story ends and what you think the meaning could be.
Para conclusion – themes and final thoughts on what you think the message of the author is.