preview

Realistic And Fantastic Elements In Ray Bradbury's All Summer In A Day

Decent Essays

Over the course of history there have been many philosophers, scientists, and geniuses that have grappled with the human spirit, and how humans interact with one another. Ray Bradbury adds his name to that list with the short story “All Summer in a Day.” In this story, Bradbury uses realistic and fantastic elements, and plot structure to create and emphasize the theme that man despises all that is different. The concept of realistic and fantastic elements is a concept that is unique to science fiction literature, and they help develop the theme of this specific story. A key realistic element introduced almost immediately is perhaps the most important detail. It is disguised because when one hears that “It had been raining for seven years,”(1) it is difficult to see the realism there, but when analyzed closer, the realism is evident. The rain is very ordinary and realistic; however, the duration of the rain is fantastic. The use of such an ordinary thing, present in every person’s life across the globe to some extent, creates an instant familiarity that helps the story have a foundation upon which to sit. With the realistic element, facilitating a base for the story, fantastic element provides the …show more content…

The phobia of anything different is evident in today’s world in many places, some call for higher walls, some resort to violence, but few speak out against violence, and fewer welcome the different with open arms; instead, most are more apt to put them in a mental closet, forgotten and kept far from the sun’s rays of compassion and

Get Access