Braling

Braling is a major character in the story “Marionettes, Inc.” by Ray Bradbury. He is a 35-year-old man (p. 1, l. 2). We know, through the description of the marionette version of him, that he has “a touch of gray at either temple, sad gray eyes, and a small thin mustache” (p. 1, ll. 13-14). He has been married to his wife for 10 years (p. 1, ll. 20-21).

Inner characterisation

Braling’s inner characterisation is constructed through the narrator’s description of his thoughts, and through his language, actions, and relationship with other characters.

Braling has a conflicting relationship with his wife. The two are distant from one another, as the wife says that Braling has not kissed her in years (p. 4, ll. 12-13). Also, Smith states that Braling’s wife forced him to marry her. It is implied that she has faked an assault by tearing her clothes and rumpling her hair and then threatened to report Braling to the police if he did not agree to marry her (p. 1, ll. 23-24). Also, Braling does not love his wife (p. 1, l. 26) and he states that his wife hates him (p. 2, l. 38). Furthermore, Bralin...