Technology versus Humanity

Many of Bradbury's stories draw a dividing line between scientific and technological impulses of man, and human or creative impulses. In "The Rocket Man", the title character is torn between scientific exploration of the wonders of the physical universe and human connection with his wife and child. This conflict colors his entire existence.

In "The Veldt", the family uses technology as a replacement for human, family connections, and the children become murderous monsters because of it. Likewise, in "Marionettes, Inc.", the characters use technology as a substitute for facing the human problems of their marriage, and in doing so, they ruin themselves.

In "The Man", religion or spirituality represents humanity, which conflicts with the captain's desire to find out about the physical world. He is so concerned with finding the physical evidence of Christ that he misses out on spirituality. "The Fire Balloons" takes this idea...