illustration of a nature scene with a bird in the grass next to a puddle that shows a translucent reflection of a human

There Will Come Soft Rains

by Ray Bradbury

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There Will Come Soft Rains Analysis

  • There Will Come Soft Rains” was first published in 1950, seventy-six years before the events of the story take place. At that time, 2026 seemed like a distant reality, and smart houses were just a dream—but today, the automated systems of the story’s smart house are hardly futuristic. Bradbury’s message about the power of technology remains as relevant as ever.
  • There are no human characters in “There Will Come Soft Rains.” The protagonist, the house, features a kind of artificial intelligence that automates its systems but doesn’t register the fact that the house’s former residents were killed in the explosion.

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Analysis

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“There Will Come Soft Rains” lacks any living human character and as a result the house becomes the main avenue of storytelling. Bradbury establishes an eerie, mechanical tone that reflects the mechanization of the house. This tone is reinforced by the use of the voice-clock, which periodically announces the time of day. Even the death of the deceased family’s dog is situated chronologically in between time stamps. What is in fact a tragic death by radiation poisoning and starvation becomes “debris” that is cleaned up between two o’clock and two thirty-five. Bradbury’s use of such a detached, factual tone emphasizes the tragedy of the humanity that has been lost: there is no one left to mourn.

The personification of the house further reflects inhumanity of the machinery. It moves mechanically, coldly, with no real emotion, even though it attempts to convey this through sing-songy clock reminders. When the voice reads out the Sarah Teasdale poem for which the story is named, the juxtaposition is off-putting. Here is a poem about nature’s longevity and indifference to human action read by a robotic voice in the wall. This seems to be a fitting and unsettling combination that ties Bradbury’s narrative together.

Ray Bradbury is well known for his science fiction works, specifically those that emphasize the relationship between humans, nature, and technology. This background certainly aligns with “There Will Come Soft Rains.” Bradbury was also known for social commentary, which is particularly fitting given the Cold War context of this story’s publication. The fears of nuclear war, as well as the apprehensions around rapidly expanding technology, would have been immediately recognizable for audiences in the 1950s. “There Will Come Soft Rains” depicts a technological fixture—the house—that withstands a nuclear blast, even though its occupants did not. Bradbury illustrates a world where technology has gone too far, so far as to outlast humanity. There is an underlying dread that such rapid technological advancement will be the end of humanity.

The role of nature is especially important throughout the story. Nature is what prevails in this post-blast world. Similarly, nature is what eventually leads to the downfall of the house. References to animal and plant life are abundant in the story. The robot mice act as cleaners, scurrying around just as their flesh and blood counterparts would. The house shutters itself when a bird lands on the windowsill, perceiving it as a threat. The nursery walls come alive with images and sounds of the natural world. When the house catches on fire, the “jungle” of the nursery burns. The digital animals scurry and meet the same fate as the rest of the mechanical voices in the walls. Although the house attempts to replicate the doings of nature, it fails to live up to the longstanding power of nature. Though the house could withstand the nuclear blast, it fails to match the impact of nature. It has been trying to replicate the natural world but has only created technological versions of it. Thus, it is symbolic that this seemingly indestructible home is felled by something as natural as a fire caused by a strong wind.

The story’s namesake, “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Sara Teasdale, draws on the ideas of nature and destruction. The poem, which describes the way nature will return to equilibrium even after war and human destruction, provides a parallel to what goes on in the story. After the nuclear fallout, major destruction occurred. Yet it is nature that prevails against the mechanics of the house. It is suggested that even after humans are gone—whether from nuclear blasts, disease, or warfare—nature will carry on, unbothered. When spring arrives, it “[w]ould scarcely know that we were gone.” This is an ominous conversation to have with Teasdale’s poem, which details the peace that comes after war. Bradbury’s choice to name the story after the poem—and thus to directly cite it—invites a discussion about the relationship between humanity and its surroundings. Bradbury seems to be suggesting that humanity is relatively insignificant in the face of nature’s immensity.

Historical Context

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Aftermath of World War II

Bradbury penned "There Will Come Soft Rains" in the early 1950s, a time when the memory of World War II was still vivid, especially the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, which concluded the war. Although the Allies emerged victorious, growing tensions between the United States and the U.S.S.R. led to the onset of the Cold War, characterized by a nuclear arms race. President Dwight Eisenhower, a celebrated war hero, cautioned against the expanding military-industrial complex required to sustain the Cold War. In the United States' mission to eliminate communism globally, particularly starting with the Soviet Union, a significant portion of the nation's resources and economic strength had to be devoted to amassing weapons. Critics argued that this focus on military readiness would cause the government to overlook other crucial issues, such as education, welfare, and economic development. Despite these concerns, few citizens were preoccupied with such issues as the 1950s began; jobs were abundant, and people could now afford previously unaffordable items like cars and televisions. However, the looming threat of nuclear war permeated daily life. People constructed bomb shelters in their basements, and children participated in bomb drills at school, learning to protect themselves from a nuclear explosion by crawling under their desks and placing their hands over their heads.

Anticommunist Fervor

The fear of communism escalated uncontrollably during the 1950s, most notably represented by the Senate Committee on Unamerican Activities, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy. This committee investigated and persecuted numerous prominent Americans suspected of communist beliefs. This paranoia, coupled with a fervent effort to expose and eliminate democracy's perceived traitors, became known as McCarthyism. Many writers and artists were hauled into court, accused of being communists, and subsequently "blacklisted," meaning they were unable to find work. Consequently, numerous lives and careers were destroyed.

When not fixated on the "red menace" of communism, the nation turned its gaze toward the future. Inspired by pre-war interests in futurism and modernism showcased by corporate America at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, people's imaginations were ignited by the prospects of transcontinental highways, labor-saving devices like washing machines and robots, and the potential for space travel. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was established to make space travel a reality. However, the U.S.S.R. outpaced the Americans by launching Sputnik in 1956, intensifying anti-Soviet sentiment in the United States. Government leaders vowed to escalate the space race by pledging to land a man on the moon before the century's end. This fascination with the future was mirrored in the nation's growing interest in science fiction movies and comic books.

Setting

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The setting of "There Will Come Soft Rains" is clearly established at the beginning of the story. It takes place on the morning of August 4, 2026, in Allendale, California. The narrative unfolds in the aftermath of a catastrophic nuclear war. The entire story spans a single day within an abandoned family home, which remains covered in ash but is still technologically functional.

Expert Q&A

What events occurred in Allendale, California before "There Will Come Soft Rains"?

Before the events of "There Will Come Soft Rains," Allendale, California experienced a nuclear explosion, likely due to war or an accident. This is evident from the advanced technology in society and descriptions of the house and area. The city is in ruins, glowing radioactively, with the house standing alone. The charred side of the house, except for silhouettes of a family, suggests they were vaporized instantly by the blast.

Why is Allendale, California the perfect setting for "There Will Come Soft Rains"?

Allendale, California is an apt setting for "There Will Come Soft Rains" due to its proximity to Silicon Valley, a hub for technological innovation, making it plausible for a house there to be equipped with advanced gadgets. Additionally, its closeness to San Francisco, a likely target for a nuclear attack, allows for a realistic scenario where the house survives the blast but suffers from radiation fallout, highlighting the story's themes of technological advancement and destruction.

What happened to the city before the story "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury begins?

Before the story begins, the city has been destroyed by a nuclear bomb, leaving it in ruins with only one house standing amidst the rubble. The setting reflects the aftermath of a mass destruction event, akin to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with radioactive glow and shadows of people imprinted on walls. This scenario serves as a cautionary tale about the potential self-destruction of humanity through nuclear warfare.

Create a timeline of events that build the setting in "There Will Come Soft Rains".

The story is set in 2026, in an automated house in California, which continues its functions despite human absence. The house prepares meals, cleans, and maintains routines, while outside, a charred, radioactive neighborhood is revealed. A dog, injured by a nuclear blast, enters and is incinerated by cleaning robots. The house recites Sara Teasdale's poem, "There Will Come Soft Rains," before a fire ignites, eventually destroying all but one wall. The narrative concludes with the date announcement: "August 5, 2026."

Why is the line "The house stood alone on a street where all the other houses were rubble and ashes" important in "There Will Come Soft Rains"?

The line highlights the house as the sole survivor of a nuclear attack, emphasizing its isolation amidst destruction. It introduces the house as a character, continuing its automated tasks despite its empty state, symbolizing human reliance on technology. The line foreshadows the house's eventual destruction, underscoring the theme of nature's resilience over human creations. Bradbury contrasts advanced technology with its destructive potential, illustrating the dangers of technological overdependence.

Where did the family in "There Will Come Soft Rains" go?

The family in "There Will Come Soft Rains" likely perished in a nuclear explosion. Although the story does not explicitly state their fate, it suggests their demise through imagery of silhouettes burned into the house's exterior, indicating they were incinerated in a nuclear blast. Set in a post-apocalyptic Allendale, California, the story highlights the tragedy of their deaths as they were preparing for a double celebration on the day of the disaster.

The setting of "There Will Come Soft Rains."

The setting of "There Will Come Soft Rains" is a futuristic, automated house in a post-apocalyptic world. The story takes place in Allendale, California, in the year 2026, where the house continues its daily routines despite the absence of its human occupants, who have presumably been wiped out by a nuclear disaster.

Style and Technique

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Irony

Ray Bradbury masterfully employs irony to deepen the thematic resonance of his narrative. Irony, in this context, involves presenting an outcome that starkly contrasts what one might anticipate. The story's central irony lies in the dual role of technology: the same advanced systems designed to maintain household comfort also become the instruments of human obliteration. The technological marvel of the computerized house is ironically undone by the simplicity of nature—a tree branch that crashes through a window ignites a devastating fire.

The poem recited by the house’s computer adds another layer of irony. "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Sara Teasdale, originally penned in response to the horrors of World War I, holds a haunting relevance in Bradbury’s post-apocalyptic setting. Despite the catastrophic effects of nuclear warfare, the earth persists, indifferent to human demise. The irony is palpable as the house reads an apocalyptic vision that eerily mirrors its own reality: humanity prophesied its annihilation, and now only the echoes of those warnings remain. This paradox—where protective technology becomes a vehicle for destruction—pervades the story.

Simile

Bradbury’s use of similes enriches the vivid imagery of his prose. His description of the house’s "nerves" as "revealed as if a surgeon had torn the skin off to let the red veins and capillaries quiver in the scalded air" transforms the house into a living entity, vulnerable and wounded. This simile not only creates a striking visual but also imbues the house with human-like qualities, fostering reader empathy. Anthropomorphism, the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities, allows the reader to identify with the house, the last functioning structure in a desolate world. Although the house cannot truly feel, the narrative evokes loneliness and pain reminiscent of human experience, illustrating Bradbury's skill in eliciting emotion.

Another poignant simile compares the fire "[feeding] upon Picassos and Matisses in the upper halls, like delicacies," further anthropomorphizing the flames. This imagery of priceless art consumed like food endows the fire with a human-like appetite. In a narrative devoid of human characters, such literary devices as similes and anthropomorphism create points of connection for the reader, making the absence of humanity felt through the remnants of its creations.

Expert Q&A

What is the mood as the house in "There Will Come Soft Rains" is destroyed by fire?

The mood in the house in "There Will Come Soft Rains" as it is destroyed by fire is one of panic as the building fights to stay intact. This is communicated through the frantic language and desperate calls to action from the automated voice.

What tone does the automated voice in "There Will Come Soft Rains" use for the missing inhabitants?

The automated voice in "There Will Come Soft Rains" uses a neutral and monotonous tone for the missing inhabitants. This tone highlights the separation between humans and machines, showing that the robotic home system, unaware of the family's demise, continues its routine without understanding the tragedy that has occurred. This detachment emphasizes technology's inability to connect with the human condition.

Symbolism and Tone in "There Will Come Soft Rains"

"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury uses symbolism and tone to explore the themes of technological advancement and nature's supremacy. The house represents human reliance on technology, continuing its tasks despite the absence of humans, symbolizing the dangers of over-reliance. Nature, indifferent and powerful, is symbolized by the rain and the destructive fire. The tone conveys inevitability, suggesting that nature will ultimately prevail over human attempts at control. Similes and metaphors further emphasize the contrast between technology's cold efficiency and the warmth of human interaction.

Tone and mood in Ray Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains"

The tone in Ray Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains" is one of eerie detachment, reflecting the automated house's indifference to human absence. The mood is melancholic and haunting, emphasizing the desolation and the aftermath of human extinction. The story's atmosphere underscores the fragility of human existence and the enduring, indifferent passage of time.

Themes and Meanings

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By the mid-20th century, Ray Bradbury was acutely aware of the dual-edged nature of technological advancement. On one hand, technology held the promise of making life more convenient and comfortable; on the other, it bore the potential for catastrophic misuse, particularly in the form of nuclear annihilation. In "There Will Come Soft Rains," the automated house at the center of the narrative serves as a poignant symbol of this dichotomy. Before a nuclear explosion obliterates its inhabitants, the house epitomizes a life of ease—catering to every whim of its human occupants. It autonomously performs tasks such as cooking and cleaning, and even provides entertainment and reminders for daily activities, illustrating an extreme reliance on technology.

However, the irony lies in the fact that once this house, a marvel of human ingenuity, begins its functions, it renders its creators redundant. The house, a testament to human technological prowess, continues to operate efficiently even in the absence of human life. It suggests a future where humans might perfect their control over their environment yet remain impotent in mastering their own destructive inclinations. The backdrop of the story, set in 2026, reflects a society that has achieved mastery over the material world but remains helplessly vulnerable to the darker sides of its scientific achievements, as indicated by a nuclear catastrophe.

The narrative concludes with a stark reminder of nature's enduring supremacy and humankind's vulnerability. The house meets its demise not through human action, but through an act of nature—a tree branch, propelled by the wind, sets off a chain reaction leading to its destruction. The dawn continues to break over the landscape, indifferent to the absence of human witnesses, underscoring the continuity of natural cycles. A recorded human voice announces the arrival of another day, but now it echoes over mere ruins, reinforcing the ephemeral nature of human constructs compared to the relentless persistence of nature.

Social Sensitivity

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Bradbury wrote "There Will Come Soft Rains" in the early 1950s. The memory of World War II was still vivid, especially the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, which ended the conflict. Although the Allies had emerged victorious, escalating tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union marked the beginning of the Cold War, characterized by a nuclear arms race. President Dwight Eisenhower, a celebrated war hero, cautioned against the expanding military-industrial complex necessary to sustain the Cold War. To combat communism globally, starting with the Soviet Union, the United States had to allocate a significant portion of its resources and economic power to amassing weapons. Critics argued that this war preparedness focus would lead the government to neglect other vital issues such as education, welfare, and economic growth. Despite these concerns, as the 1950s began, few citizens seemed worried; jobs were abundant, and people could now afford previously cost-prohibitive items like cars and televisions. However, the threat of nuclear war permeated daily life, leading people to build bomb shelters in their basements and children to participate in school bomb drills, where they learned to protect themselves from a nuclear blast by crawling under their desks and covering their heads.

The fear of communism spiraled out of control during the 1950s, most notably represented by the Senate Committee on Un-American Activities, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy. This committee investigated and persecuted numerous prominent Americans suspected of communist involvement. This paranoia and the fanatical efforts to root out "traitors" became known as "McCarthyism." Many writers and artists were brought to court, accused of being communists, and subsequently "blacklisted," rendering them unable to find work. Consequently, many lives and careers were devastated.

When not preoccupied with the "red menace" of communism, the nation turned its gaze toward the future. Inspired by pre-war interests in futurism and modernism showcased by corporate America at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, people's imaginations were ignited by visions of transcontinental highways, labor-saving devices like washing machines and robots, and the possibility of space travel. The formation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aimed to make space travel a reality, but the Soviet Union took an early lead by launching Sputnik in 1956, further fueling anti-Soviet sentiment in the United States. Government leaders intensified the space race by declaring their intention to land a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s. The nation's fascination with the future was also reflected in the popularity of science fiction movies and comic books.

Compare and Contrast

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1951: The United States detonates its first thermonuclear device in the mid-Pacific, completely destroying the Eniwetok island atoll. Minimal precautions are taken to shield nearby residents from radiation exposure.

1997: Despite several near catastrophes over the past decades, including incidents at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania, and Monroe, Michigan, nuclear power plants still generate a significant portion of the United States's electricity.

1951: Remington Rand produces the world's first commercial computer, the Univac. This machine occupies an entire room and needs several experts to operate it.

1997: Intel Corporation's Pentium chip is installed in 90 percent of all new personal computers. This common microprocessor chip is roughly the size of a fingernail.

1951: Bell Telephone introduces the first long-distance direct dialing service.

1997: Communications companies reach an agreement with the government to develop digital, high-definition television signals. These signals will also enable access to the Internet via television sets.

Media Adaptations

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The Martian Chronicles was turned into a television film in 1979, featuring Rock Hudson, Bernadette Peters, Roddy McDowell, and Darin McGavin. The movie was directed by Michael Anderson and produced by U.S.A. Fries Entertainment. You can find it through Fries Home Video.

"There Will Come Soft Rains" was transformed into a graphic story for the comic book Weird Fantasy, Vol. 1, No. 17, in October 1996.

For Further Reference

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Everman, Welch D. "August 2026: 'There Will Come Soft Rains': Overview." In Reference Guide to Short Fiction, First Edition. Edited by Noelle Watson. Detroit: St. James Press, 1994. Everman explores Bradbury's claim that "human life is precariously balanced between the natural world we believe we have left behind and the technological world that has surpassed us, and, unfortunately, neither of these worlds needs us to exist."

McNelly, Willis E. "Two Views: Ray Bradbury Past, Present and Future." In Voices for the Future: Essays on Major Science Fiction Writers. Bowling Green: Bowling Green University Popular Press, 1976, pp. 167-75. McNelly analyzes Bradbury's short stories, connecting them to the broader American short fiction tradition.

Mogen, David. "Ray Bradbury." Twayne's United States Authors Series Online. New York: G. K. Hall & Co., 1999. A detailed biography of Bradbury, covering his early life, literary influences, and body of work.

Bibliography and Further Reading

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Sources

Bradbury, Ray. Zen and the Art of Writing, Capra Press, 1973.

Bradbury, Ray and Jeffrey M. Elliot. "Ray Bradbury: Poet of Fantastic Fiction," in Science Fiction Voices #2, The Borgo Press, 1979, pp. 20-29.

Finkelstein, Sidney. "World of Science Fiction," in Masses and Mainstream, Vol. 8, April 1955, pp. 48-57.

Gallagher, Edward J. "The Thematic Structure of 'The Martian Chronicles'," in Ray Bradbury, edited by Martin Harry Greenberg and Joseph D. Olander, Taphnger Publishing Co., 1980, pp. 55-82.

McLaughlin, John J. "Science Fiction Theatre," in The Nation, Vol. 200, No. 4, January 25, 1965, pp. 92-94.

Pell, Sarah-Warner J. "Style Is the Man: Imagery in Bradbury's Fiction," in Ray Bradbury, edited by Martin Harry Greenberg and Joseph D. Olander, Taplinger Publishing Co., 1980, pp. 186-194.

Touponce, William F. "Some Aspects of Surrealism in the Work of Ray Bradbury," in Extrapolation, Vol. 25, No. 3, Fall 1984, pp. 228-238.

Further Reading

Everman, Welch D. "August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains," in Reference Guide to Short Fiction, edited by Noelle Watson, St. James Press, 1990, pp. 627-628.
A literary analysis of the story.

Magill, Frank N. "Ray Bradbury," in Critical Survey of Short Fiction, Salem Press, Vol. 1, 1988, pp. 209-309.
This multi-volume reference includes biographical details as well as general literary analysis. Although "There Will Come Soft Rains" is not specifically discussed, the influence of Bradbury's history on his vision of the future is examined.

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