Language

Style of language

In the short story “The Pedestrian”, Ray Bradbury combines a descriptive style of language with alert and short dialogue. The first half of the story stands out through the use of descriptions that convey the general atmosphere, while the second half keeps readers on their toes through the unconventional dialogue between the main character and a police car. 

The choice of words shows the writer’s tendency to rely on negative phrases to set the tone: “dark windows” (p.1, l. 18), “grey phantoms” (p.1, l. 21), “lumpy walk” (p.1, l. 28), “lone figure” (p. 1, l. 33), and “silent and long and empty” (p. 1, l. 52).

Such words reflect the perspective of the main character, a lonely man in a society where people have become dependent on TV screens and do not seem to connect with others anymore. 

The few positive words are related to ...