Introduction
The poem “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Sarah Teasdale and the short story “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury share the same name and similar ideas and concepts. Ray Bradbury even used the poem by Sarah Teasdale to illustrate the main ideas of his short tale. By inserting this poem, he highlights the similarities of ideas and demonstrates that it is a concept that transcends his fictional universe. These works can be contrasted and compared by the similarity of topics they attempt to bring up in their narration.
Common Themes in the Chosen Works
Nature vs. Humans
The concept of nature and its resiliency in the face of human damage is one of the themes shared by the two works. In Teasdale’s poem, the narrator addresses the concept that nature will continue to exist even after humans are gone by describing its beauty and tranquility (Teasdale 12). The poem illustrates how nature can thrive without humans and is not dependent on them. Similarly, Bradbury’s tale is set after a catastrophe has obliterated all human life, yet nature emerges victorious and continues as usual (Bradbury 5). The home is demolished in this tale, but the lone tree survives and keeps growing.
Time
The concept of time is another recurring element in these works. Both pieces examine the idea that time is a powerful force that endures even after all else has vanished. Bradbury’s short tale illustrates the passage of time throughout the day, whereas Teasdale’s poetry stresses the cyclical aspect of time. Despite taking distinct techniques, both pieces express the idea that time goes on even when all else has ended. Both pieces also discuss the idea of change’s imminence and the fleeting nature of existence.
Conclusion
In general, Sarah Teasdale’s poem and Ray Bradbury’s tale share the themes of nature’s resiliency, the unstoppable force of time, and the inevitable nature of change. The pieces have a similar message, with the poem reaffirming the notion that nature is tenacious and will survive despite human harm. This topic plays a crucial role in Bradbury’s tale, which is set in a post-apocalyptic world.
Works Cited
Teasdale, Sarah. “There will come soft rains.” Harper’s Monthly Magazine, vol. 238, no. 1, 1918, pp. 12-13.
Bradbury, Ray. There will come soft rains. Perfection Learning Corporation, 1989.