Question

Directions: As the world becomes bigger people seem to be more and more preoccupied with technology. Ray Bradbury, the author of The Pedestrian, uses the lonely, city setting to make a point about the increasing impersonal nature of society. The protagonist of the story, Leonard Mead, is tagged as insane simply for going out to take a walk at night. Leonard is the only person out at night. Even the police car that stops him is empty and does not have a real person in it. Do you agree that the world is growing too impersonal? Why or why not? Use specific examples to support your answer. Please write 15 sentences or more to support your position.​

Answer 1

The question of whether the world is growing too impersonal is complex, with evidence of increasing disconnection due to technological and societal changes since the mid-20th century. However, works like Wordsworth's poetry and family scenes from the Populist period show that personal connections persist, suggesting impersonality isn't universal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The notion of an increasingly impersonal world as depicted in Ray Bradbury's 'The Pedestrian' reflects broader societal concerns that resonate with those of other authors and artists. In works like Donald Barthleme’s 'The School,' the challenges of post-1945 America, including the transition to postmodernism and the rise of digital media, have distorted human connections. Similarly, George Orwell's '1984' criticizes the loss of critical thought in a technologically driven society, while Ralph Ellison's 'Invisible Man' portrays the alienation within a broader social context. The isolation and impersonality of modern life are further evoked in the visual arts, as seen in Hopper's 'Nighthawks,' illustrating how technology and social changes can lead to a sense of disconnection. The advances in technology since the victory of the Second World War and the resulting cultural shifts are responsible for a sense of 'textuality' in experience, where real interactions are replaced by images and screens, as evidenced by contemporary literature and culture.

However, it is not a one-sided scenario. Nature, as personified in Wordsworth's 'I wandered lonely as a cloud,' presents a stark contrast to the depersonalization of human society, suggesting a remaining avenue for authentic connection. Moreover, the human element persists amid evolution, such as the family unity depicted in the Populist period, representing a counterpoint to contemporary impersonality. Therefore, while technology and media can foster an impersonal atmosphere, they also offer new avenues for expression and connectedness.

In conclusion, whether the world is growing too impersonal is a complex question that invites examination from different angles. It is clear that technological and societal changes since the mid-20th century have contributed to a sense of disconnection in some areas. Nonetheless, the persistence of human elements and relationships in literature and life indicates that impersonality is not universal, and people continue to seek meaningful connections amid the changes.