I think that you can find many overarching questions in the story. One critical question would be the role of technology. Bradbury constructs a setting where one is filled with wonder and a simultaneous trepidation about a technological future. The self- maintenance of the house is wonderful on one hand, as it represents the pinnacle of technological advancement. However, on the other hand, there is a lifeless element to it and this is not simply because human beings have been wiped out. Rather, the work brings to light what is the cost of technological advancement if human beings are not a part of this design. The house seems empty in both literal and symbolic senses because it carries on even though its inhabitants are dead. When the house burns, there is no one to mourn it, as the technological voice goes on to the next day. Along these lines, another...
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major question that arises from the short story is what happens when there is a condition where human life loses all value. The premise of a nuclear future is one where both sides are afraid of the other, guaranteeing all human life. In the post- nuclear apocalyptic setting of the story, this is no longer present. Human beings were not afraid of the other, which is why nuclear war happened. In this light, one of the major questions the story brings out is whether or not it is considered progress when individuals lack the fear of death or of consequences. In this philosophical paradigm, the story poses more questions than answers.
In "There Will Come Soft Rains," what are the "what if" questions?
I love this story. It's an awesome look into a possible future, and the weirdest part is how I see some of it coming true in my own household. For example, my wife has now purchased two robot vacuum cleaners. One that does carpets and one that mops our hard floors . . . with water. Both are GPS controlled. There are other parts that have come true as well. Smart homes are real things. They track your movements through the house and adjust temperature zones and lighting as needed. High end stereo systems can be told what mood you are in and play music that coincides with it . . . and change light displays colors as well. Every time I read Bradbury's story, I see more and more correlations and "what ifs."
My biggest what if is, "If such and such part has come true, what if the rest of it comes true?" I'm referring to the nuclear holocaust part. It's not exactly a world wide fear now, but during the Cold War it was. And there's no reason that it won't become a fear again as more and more countries gain nuclear weaponry.
I've always wondered "what if the people survived?" They'd be the only survivors with a house that cares for their every need.
The poem in the story talks about how nature wouldn't care if people were on the planet or not. The house acts the same way. It goes about its business with nobody there. "What if the house noticed it was empty? Would it act differently? How?"
"What if the house had emotions?" Would it be sad the people are gone? Or would it be glad because there is likely less mess to clean up as often?
"What if the fire didn't destroy the house?" How long could the house have kept on "living?"
"What if the Sara Teasedale poem never existed?" Would Bradbury have come up with the same concept on his own?