Perspectives

In this part of the study guide, we will give you a few extra points to help you put “The Highest Branch on the Tree” by Ray Bradbury in perspective. We will look at the literary period, works by the same author, and works that share similar them…

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Works by the same author

You could also consider reading some other short stories by Ray Bradbury to get familiar with his writing style and themes. We recommend the stories “All Summer in a Day” and “The Veldt”.

“All Summer in a Day” also explores the theme of bullying, but in a science-fiction context in which the planet Venus has been colonized. The story narrates how a girl who was born on Earth is bullied by someone born on Venus because she has seen the sun. The girl is locked up by her cl…

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Works with the same theme

To see how other authors explore the theme of bullying, we encourage you to read the following short stories.

“The New Girl” by Marc Mitchell explores the way in which verbal bullying is caused by racial prejudices, even in the case of children. Like “The Highest Branch on the Tree”, the story focuses on children and has a first person adult narrator that reflects on past events.

“The Happiest Days of Your Life” by Penelope Lively follows a boy who faces bullying from the …