Themes and message

Conformity

The short story “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury explores the theme of conformity. The theme of conformity is explored in the story through the contrast between the main character's nonconformist behavior and that of the society he lives in. The title itself, with the use of the definite article “the”, suggests that the character is unique, being the only pedestrian in the story. 

Leonard Meade is the only person who still ventures out on the streets of the city in a world where everyone else stays inside looking at a “viewing screen” (p. 2, l. 25). In this society, people no longer experience the need to go outside. While a positive outcome might be the lack of crimes, Mead’s perspective reveals there is more to it. In conforming to these ...