Question

Why is Sara Teasdale's poem placed where it is in "There Will Come Soft Rains"?

A) To contrast the narrative's futuristic setting
B) To provide insight into the protagonist's thoughts
C) To emphasize the theme of nature's resilience
D) To foreshadow future events in the story

Answer 1

Sara Teasdale's poem in Ray Bradbury's 'There Will Come Soft Rains' emphasizes the theme of nature's resilience in the face of human absence, which is why it is placed within the narrative.

Step-by-step explanation:

The inclusion of Sara Teasdale's poem 'There Will Come Soft Rains' within Ray Bradbury's short story of the same name serves a specific literary purpose. The placement of the poem is particularly significant, as it highlights the overarching theme present in Bradbury's story—the resilience of nature in the face of human extinction. While the futuristic house goes about its daily routine, unaware of its human occupants' demise, the recitation of Teasdale's poem emphasizes the theme of nature's resilience as it continues heedless of humanity's fate. The contrast between the technologically advanced, yet now irrelevant, setting and the enduring natural world underscores this point further. Therefore, option C) To emphasize the theme of nature's resilience is the correct answer.