August 2026: There will come soft rains questions Flashcards
Why is it important to know the time period Bradbury wrote this story?
The story was written about 5 years after the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This was the first time nuclear weaponry was used during warfare and had left a huge impact on the world. Fear of use of nuclear weaponry wiping out an entire population ran high. The short story alludes to what would happen to a self-sufficient house after the effects of a nuclear bomb. It’s also important to know that it takes place in the future, where it is possible for houses to be fully automated like the one in the story. In the context of our surroundings today, the story probably wouldn’t make much sense.
What detail at the beginning of the story foreshadows the eventual realization?
Tick-tock, seven o’clock, time to get up, time to get up, seven o’clock! As if it were afraid nobody would.” The clock feared that nobody would respond to its wake-up call, which hints that the house will end up empty, but the automated house itself will still be alive.
Give an example of symbolism
The automated house represents the symbolic nature of the world, and the world continuing even after a massacre.
Why does the author keep mentioning time?
He keeps mentioning the time to tell us that time never stops, whether mankind is in the world or not. The house continues its daily routines throughout the day. Contrary to our (humans) belief, the world does not revolve around us. Long after we’re all gone time will still continue to pass. The clock always keeps ticking as a reminder to us that our presence is temporary.
How is the message in the poem similar to what is actually happening in the story?
The poem’s and story’s message are that even if we were all to die, the world would still continue. There ano humans, but technology continues to run by itself. The poem tells how many animals will warn of a fire, but no one will care or even notice. This is similar to the story when the house catches on fire, but no one tries to put the fire out until the house self destructs.
What is the significance of the title?
The title of the story lets us know that the story takes place in the future, and also lets us know what the author believes our society will come to. It is telling us that in the future, even if there are no more signs of humanity left on earth, the world and nature will still keep doing what it always does. Even if humanity would come to an end, you can still bet on the fact that it will rain!
