Themes and message

Escapism

The main theme of Ray Bradbury’s short story “Marionettes, Inc.” is escapism. Both Smith and Braling try to avoid their wives by replacing themselves with marionettes. They desperately want to get away from their controlling wives, to the extent that they are willing to commit crimes, as using marionettes is illegal.

Braling’s plan is to travel to Rio de Janeiro for a month. After using the marionette to sneak out of the house and have a drink with Smith, Braling tells his friend that “I’ve been home all evening. I shall be home with her for the next month. In the meantime another gentleman will be in Rio after ten years of waiting” (p. 2, ll. 15-17). By distancing himself from the act, Braling tries to justify his actions and overcome his moral struggle. 

He also uses this method when he is confronted by his marionette. Braling Two, the marionette, expresses his disapproval of Braling’s selfish decision: “ ‘I hate the idea of you going off and laughing and lying in the sun in Rio while we’re stuck here in the cold’ ” (p. 3, ll. 8-9). However, Braling avoids the moral implications of this reproach by separating himself from his present reality: “He squinted his eyes and could see the sea and the mountains and the yellow sand. The sound of the waves was good to his inward mind” (p. 3, ll. 10-12). The thought of getting away and fulfilling his life-long wish of traveling to Rio makes Braling feel less guilty about locking up his marionette and leaving his wife behind.

Smith has a similar attitude. When Braling tells him about going to...