Two works cited Humanity has made great strides towards progress with inventions such as television. However, when children stop reading and playing outside to plug in the television, you might wonder whether this is progress or regression. In “The Pedestrian,” Ray Bradbury chose to make a statement about the effects of these improvements. Through characterization and imagery, it shows that if humanity advances to the point where society loses its humanity, then it might as well cease to exist. Bradbury chose to reflect the humanity of humanity in the character of Mr. Mead. First of all, Mr. Mead is associated with warm, bright light, which symbolizes the soul. If, during his nocturnal walks, people are alerted to his presence, “the lights…click on” (104). In essence, it is the embodiment of humanity. Mr. Mead's house radiates "strong yellow lighting" (105). Since literature not only tells the story of humanity, but also evokes deep feelings among men, it brings this occupation closer to the heart of humanity. Third, Mr. Mead is close to nature. Something as simple as taking a walk is “what Mr. Leonard Mead loved to do most” (104). Man is more human when surrounded by the elements. Furthermore, Mr. Mead's shadow is described as "the shadow of a hawk", linking it to a wild, free-spirited bird (104). Finally, Mr. Mead is paralleled with the most tender and humane holiday observed in the Western world, when the influx of cold air causes his lungs to "burn like a Christmas tree" (104). The combination of these elements makes Mr. Mead a true representative of humanity. In contrast to the humanity portrayed by Mr. Mead, Bradbury mirrored the characteristics of progress in the police car. The car, like Mr. Mead, is associated with light. The light of the car, however, shows the absence of humanity. Rather than Mr. Mead's "hot" light, the car possesses a "fierce" and "fiery" light that holds humanity "fixed" like a "museum specimen" - something from the past that should be looked at behind a vision impersonal. glass plate (105-06). When they are not holding humanity captive, the car lights revert to “flashing…dim lights,” showing the absence of any true soul (106). The car is representative of several modern inventions, thus embodying the progress of humanity. It is itself a robot and speaks in a "phonograph voice" through a "radio throat"." (105-06).