Mead, even though he has not committed an offense. An automated police car is programmed to stop Mr. The story calls into question the idea of progress for the sake of progress. He is very easily identified as someone who is different. His lit up house is symbolic of his difference from the rest of society. Ostracizing him is another form of censorship. The police car, a representative of the powers in control, disapprove of his behavior, but the entire society disapproves as well. The act of ostracizing someone who is different than the rest of the group appears again, which is a common theme in Bradbury's stories. His behavior proposes an alternative activity that the government does not approve of, and this threatens their monopoly on control. He does not have a viewing screen in his house, which is expected of the members of this society. Mead's behavior is deemed threatening even though it is not hurting anyone - the powers in charge believe that his determination to walk every night could upset their social stability. Once again, Bradbury shows his skepticism of technology and "progress" in "The Pedestrian." In this story, a popular pastime is viewed as regressive, outdated, and abnormal. Mead's behavior is completely atypical of the society in which he lives. En route, they pass his house, which is the only house that is lit up and inviting to the outside eye. His behavior is not acceptable in society - no one walks anymore and it is queer that he continues to do so as his primary hobby. The car informs him that he is being taken to a psychiatric center because of his regressive tendencies. Mead is filled with fear as he sits down in the cell-like backseat.
The theme of the pedestrian driver#
Mead answers the question of employment by saying he is a writer, the police interpret his answer as "unemployed." They order him to enter the car despite his protests, and as he approaches he realizes there is no driver at all - the car is automated. After the election last year, the force was reduced from three cars to one because crime was ebbing and they were seen as unnecessary.
This car is the only remaining police car in the area.
The theme of the pedestrian series#
He answers a series of questions about his life and family, and his answers are unsatisfactory to the police. On this particular evening, a police car stops him and orders him to put his hands up. It is never said explicitly in the story, but it can be understood that he is the only, or one of the only, walker in society. He lives by himself - he has no wife, and so it is a tradition for him to walk every evening. He has never seen another person out walking during the many hours that he has strolled. Mead is the only pedestrian near his home. "The Pedestrian" offers a glance into the future, where a man, Leonard Mead, goes for long walks every evening by himself.
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