"There Will Come Soft Rains" is a short story by science fiction author Ray Bradbury, first published in 1950. It tells the tale of a futuristic, automated house that continues to function long after its human occupants have been destroyed in a nuclear war. The story is notable for its use of personification, as the house and its various systems are described as if they were sentient beings.
One of the most famous quotes from the story is the opening line: "The morning of August 4, 2026, was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day." This sets the stage for the events that unfold, as the house goes about its daily routine, unaware that its inhabitants are no longer alive.
Another memorable quote from the story is: "The house stood alone in a city of rubble and ashes. This was the one house left standing." This passage highlights the devastation that has occurred as a result of the nuclear war, and the contrast between the house's pristine condition and the ruined city around it.
A third quote that is particularly notable is: "The trees were green. The grass was green. The streets were quiet." This passage serves to further contrast the house's normal functioning with the chaos and destruction that have taken place outside its walls. The trees and grass continue to grow, while the streets are silent, suggesting that there is no longer any human activity in the area.
In conclusion, "There Will Come Soft Rains" is a thought-provoking short story that uses personification and vivid imagery to explore themes of technology, survival, and the dangers of nuclear war. Its memorable quotes serve to enhance the story's themes and add to its overall impact on the reader.
The “Starving Artist” and the “Masterpiece” Theme in The Last Leaf
I want to turn loose my hold on everything, and go sailing down, down, just like one of those poor, tired leaves. Three days ago there were almost a hundred. It made my head hurt to count them. What is the tone of the last leaf? In the story, the most gruff character, Behrman, "was a fierce little old man, who scoffed terribly at softness in any one. Vy do you allow dot silly business to come in der brain of her? Sometimes a story has a particular kind of message, known as a moral.
The Last Leaf Theme
He learns how Johnsy has lost the will to live. She does not change throughout the story. This passage is significant because it proves true: because Johnsy decides not to die until she sees the last leaf fall, she ends up surviving, having been tricked by the painted leaf. Herein, what is the lesson of the story the last leaf? Suppose a collector with a bill for paints, paper and canvas should, in traversing this route, suddenly meet himself coming back, without a cent having been paid on account! He was a fierce, little, old man who protected the two young women in the studio apartment above him. Then she went to Johnsy's room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime. I'm tired of thinking. It is also noticeable that Henry makes a comparison between the worlds of Art and Literature in the story.
The Last Leaf Quotes and Analysis
Some critics have advanced the view that Sue and Johnsy are romantically involved. In November, a cold, unseen stranger came to visit the city. After the beating rain and fierce wind that blew through the night, there yet stood against the wall one ivy leaf. In the story, Sue and Johnsy were good friends and artists. The symbol of its death, the dying tree, is a reference to the story. Through their brief encounter, the two explore the themes of friendship, loyalty, and trust.
