All Summer in a Day
by Ray Bradbury
1.
Bradbury uses several metaphors and similes to create vivid images in this story. Locate
six of these metaphors and similes. In the left column, copy the simile or metaphor as it
appears in the story (copy the format of the example). In the right column, explain the
comparison being made. Be detailed and look beyond the literal.
Ex: “It’s like a fire, in the stove.” Line 69
(simile)
1. “The children pressed to each other like so
many roses, so many weeds, intermixed,
peering out for a look at the hidden sun.” Line
14 (Simile)
Margot is comparing the sun to a fire inside a
stove.
2. “with the sweet crystal fall of showers” Line
18 (Metaphor)
3. “But then they always awoke to the tatting
drum, the endless shaking down of clear bead
necklaces upon the roof, the walk, the
gardens, the forests, and their dreams were
gone.” Line 31 (Metaphor)
4. “They turned on themselves, like a feverish
wheel, all tumbling spokes.” Line 47 (Simile)
5. “She was a very frail girl who looked as if
she had been lost in the rain for years and the
rain had washed out the blue from her eyes
and the red from her mouth and the yellow
from her hair.” Line 48 (Simile)
6. “She was an old photograph dusted from an
album, whitened away, and if she spoke at all
her voice would be a ghost. “ Line 50
(Metaphor)
7. “It’s like a penny.” (Simile)
2.
Direct characterization (the author tells us directly what this character is like) and
indirect characterization (the author shows us what the character is like through the
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character’s actions, thoughts, and words) are both used in the story. Find an example of each
for the character Margot.
Direct characterization:
Indirect Characterization:
3.
Figure out as many types of conflict as you can in the story. Fill out the chart below.
Type of Conflict
Person vs. Person
Example from Story (with line number/s)
Person vs. Group
Person vs. Nature
4.
What is the main conflict?
5.
“All Summer in a Day” is an example of dystopian literature. A dystopia (from Ancient
Greek: "bad, hard’, and "place, landscape";] alternatively anti-utopia) is the idea of a society in
a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. Ideas and works
about dystopian societies often explore the concept of humans abusing technology and humans
individually and collectively coping, or not being able to properly cope with technology that has
progressed far more rapidly than humanity's spiritual evolution There are many common traits
that dystopic societies contain:
a. Society: most impose severe social restrictions on community members
- social stratification: social class is strictly defined and enforced
- ruthless egalitarian
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- repression of the intellectual
b. Social Groups: total absence of social groups other than the “state”
- independent religion is notable because of omittance
- family is attacked: the hostility to motherhood
c. Nature: characters are isolated from the natural world
-conditioned to fear nature
d. Political: Government asserts power over citizens
- flawed in some way—portrayed as oppressive
- filled with pessimistic views of the ruling class—rules with an “iron fist”
e. Economic: state is in control of the economy
- black market—items banned or seen as contraband
- often privatization in businesses
f. The Hero: protagonist questions society—intuition
- is a rebel, or an outsider
g. Conflict: societal group somewhere not under control of state
-the protagonist puts his/her faith in these people, but futilely
h. Climax: can be unresolved
- death or re-education/conformity
-usually the opposite of a “happy ending”
What characteristics of dystopian society are present in this story?
Nature:
The Hero:
Climax:
6.
What kind of world does Margot live in? How does it compare to our world?
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7.
In “All Summer in a Day,” Margot is like a captive. She is trapped, living under conditions
that are slowly destroying her. What are some conditions here on Earth that are similar to
Margot’s? List at least three.
8.
A theme in this story has something to do with why people are sometimes cruel to one
another. The author says the children hated Margot for:
“all these reasons of big and little consequence. They hated her
pale snow face, her waiting silence, her thinness and her
possible future….” (lines 77-78)
Tell which of these reasons you think are of “big consequence” and which are of “little
consequence.”
Based on this information, what is the theme of the story?
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