Analysis
This section highlights the main elements of our analysis of the story “Marionettes, Inc.” by Ray Bradbury.
The story’s plot structure features narrative techniques such as backstories and foreshadowing. The significance of the title is not revealed until the middle of the story.
The main characters of the story are Braling and Smith. Mrs. Braling, Nettie, and Braling Two are secondary characters. The story presents Braling’s and Smith’s struggle with their controlling and clingy wives, and their technological solutions which backfire on them.
The events take place in the United States of America. The social setting explores issues such as misuse of technology and strained interpersonal relationships.
The events are described by an omniscient narrator. The narrator is reliable and objective, and the point of view switches between characters.
The language is formal in the narration but informal in the dialogue, giving it authenticity. Personification is generally used to give a more vivid description of the setting or to convey a character’s views or impressions about the surroundings and the things they experience.
You can find a full analysis of the story in the following pages.