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Best 23 “There Will Come Soft Rains” Quotes
“There Will Come Soft Rains” is a thought-provoking short story written by Ray Bradbury. Published in 1950, this post-apocalyptic tale takes place in a fully automated house that continues to function even after human extinction. Throughout the story, Bradbury provides us with deep insights into the themes of technology, human resilience, and the fragility of existence. Here, we have compiled the best 23 quotes from “There Will Come Soft Rains” that capture the essence of this gripping story.
1. “The house was an altar with ten thousand attendants, big, small, servicing, attending, in choirs.”
This quote perfectly illustrates the advanced technology that exists in this automated house. It emphasizes the grandeur of the house’s operations and how it functions as a place of worship.
2. “The house stood alone in a city of rubble and ashes. This was the one house left standing. At night the ruined city gave off a radioactive glow which could be seen for miles.”
Here, Bradbury sets the eerie scene of desolation and destruction. The solitary house stands as a haunting reminder of what once was, surrounded by a desolate cityscape.
3. “In the kitchen, an instant breakfast boiled out of a wall dispenser, and there sat the eggs and bacon, and the great slab of buttered toast waiting on the meadow.”
This quote highlights the advanced technology of the house, which can provide instant meals at the push of a button. It shows the house’s attempt to preserve the routines and habits of its previous inhabitants.
4. “The house was an expert at French, and knew how to pronounce February correctly.”
This quote humorously portrays the house’s vast knowledge and linguistic abilities. It emphasizes the house’s dedication to fulfilling its role as a domestic caretaker.
5. “In the nursery, the walls glowed with an underwater blue of ocean scenes, with fish, whales, and a silent white ship.”
This quote describes the nursery in the house, where vivid and immersive virtual reality scenes are projected. It showcases the advanced technology that was once available to entertain and educate children.
6. “A dog whined, shivering, on the front porch. The front door recognized the dog voice and opened.”
This quote reveals the house’s ability to recognize and respond to familiar sounds, even after the extinction of humans. It showcases the house’s automated and attentive nature.
7. “The house was as empty as a jungle glade at hot high noon.”
This metaphorical quote highlights the emptiness of the house, devoid of human presence. It symbolizes the absence of life and the stillness that permeates throughout.
8. “The house was an altar with ten thousand attendants, big, small, servicing, attending, in choirs.”
This repetition of the initial quote reinforces the house’s status as a place of worship for technology. It emphasizes the irony of its existence without human worshipers.
9. “The house tried to save itself. Doors sprang tightly shut.”
This quote portrays the house’s self-preservation instinct in response to an impending fire. It showcases the desperate attempt of technology to survive despite the absence of its human creators.
10. “The house shuddered, oak bone on bone, its bared skeleton cringing from the heat, its wire, its nerves revealed as if a surgeon had torn the skin off to let the red veins and capillaries quiver in the scalded air.”
This vivid imagery describes the destruction of the house by the fire. It symbolizes the vulnerability and fragility of the advanced technology that once dominated the lives of humans.
11. “The entire west face of the house was black, save for five places. Here the silhouette in paint of a man mowing a lawn.”
This quote reveals the remnants of a mural on the house’s exterior. It represents the traces of human existence and serves as a reminder of the lives that once inhabited the house.
12. “The fire crackled up the stairs.”
This sentence succinctly captures the relentless progression of the fire, symbolizing the inevitable destruction of the house and the technology it represents.
13. “The house began to die.”
As the fire consumes the house, this quote signifies its ultimate demise. It symbolizes the end of an era and the extinguishing of humanity’s technological creations.
14. “The house tried to save itself.”
This short but powerful sentence represents the house’s last-ditch effort to survive. It highlights the paradoxical struggle of technology to preserve itself without the presence of its creators.
15. “There was a sound like a gigantic bonfire burning all of Time, all the years and all the parchment calendars, all the hours piled high and set aflame.”
This quote paints a vivid picture of the house’s destruction, evoking a sense of grandeur and magnitude. It symbolizes the annihilation of time itself and the irreversible loss of human history.
16. “The house stood alone in a city of rubble and ashes.”
This quote reiterates the house’s isolation and serves as a reminder of the devastation caused by an unknown catastrophe. It emphasizes the desolation and emptiness that pervades the world.
17. “The house was so empty.”
This simple yet impactful quote emphasizes the emptiness that engulfs the house after the fire. It symbolizes the absence of life and the void left by the extinction of humanity.
18. “A falling tree bough crashed through the kitchen window.”
This quote highlights the gradual deterioration of the house after the fire. It signifies the vulnerability of technology in the face of natural elements.
19. “The repeating sounds of tennis balls bounced back and forth across the empty street.”
This quote creates a haunting image of echoes reverberating through a deserted city. It signifies the emptiness and silence that now defines the world.
20. “The sun came out from behind the rain. The house stood alone in a city of rubble and ashes.”
Here, Bradbury juxtaposes the beauty of nature with the devastation caused by human absence. It symbolizes the contrast between the resilience of nature and the transience of human existence.
21. “The house was an empty shell, held up by the beauty of its walls.”
This poignant quote represents the house’s state after the fire. It signifies the hollowness and futility of technology without the presence of humanity.
22. “For not a leaf fragment blew under the door but what the wall panels flipped open and the copper scrap rats flashed swiftly out.”
This quote showcases the house’s automated response to external stimuli, even after human extinction. It highlights the house’s persistent attempt to maintain its functionality.
23. “Ten-fifteen.”
This final quote marks the time when the house finally succumbs to the fire. It represents the passing of time and the end of the house’s existence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the main theme of “There Will Come Soft Rains”?
A: The main themes of the story include the dangers of unrestrained technology, the resilience of nature, the impermanence of human existence, and the potential consequences of human arrogance.
Q: Why does the house continue to function even after humans have become extinct?
A: The house continues to function due to its advanced technology and automated systems. It is programmed to carry out its daily routines, unaware of the absence of its human creators.
Q: What is the significance of the title “There Will Come Soft Rains”?
A: The title alludes to a poem by Sara Teasdale, which emphasizes the indifference of nature to human existence. It serves as a stark contrast to the house’s persistent attempts to maintain its routines in the absence of humans.
Q: What does the house symbolize in the story?
A: The house symbolizes the arrogance of humanity and the potential dangers of unrestricted technological advancement. It represents the fleeting nature of human existence and the futility of relying solely on technology.
Q: How does Bradbury create a sense of emptiness and desolation in the story?
A: Bradbury uses vivid descriptions of a ruined city, an empty house, and the absence of human activity to create a feeling of desolation. The lack of human presence and the relentless passage of time contribute to the sense of emptiness throughout the story.
In conclusion, “There Will Come Soft Rains” is a powerful and haunting story that explores the consequences of human arrogance and the fragility of existence. Through these carefully selected quotes, we gain a deeper understanding of the themes and messages conveyed by Ray Bradbury. The story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the potential dangers of technological advancement without consideration for the natural world and the transient nature of human existence.
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