The story Tomorrow?s Child by Ray Bradbury is a story about a little blue pyramid. In this story a child is born to a man and his wife who is a blue pyramid. He is seen as a blue pyramid because the baby was born into the wrong dimension changing what he looks like in this dimension. The baby was forced into this form by abnormal pressures during birth. The doctors begin to work on a cure for the baby, or some way to bring him into the right dimension. During this time the Mother of the baby becomes very distraught at the appearance of her baby and begins drinking and smoking greatly in an effort to relive her pains and stress. One day as the father of the child comes home he finds his wife parading their child around like a dog and showing it to the neighbors. It is that night that they visit the hospital to find out if the doctors have made any discoveries or found a cure. The doctor says to the couple, that he does not have the knowledge to bring the baby into this dimension yet, but he would be able to bring the parent?s of the child into the dimension the baby is in by recreating the pressures that brought the baby into the wrong dimension. It is decided that the parents of the children would like to be put into the dimension the baby is in. For in this dimension they see themselves as humans, and they also see the baby as a human. The parents are put into the dimension and when they arrive they find that their baby looks as a healthy baby human would look. They have sacrificed their own lives in their natural dimension to be with their baby. The people in our dimension now view the parents as strange geometric shapes, just as the baby is.
Critique
How would you respond to having your child be born as a blue pyramid? In the story, "Tomorrow's Child" by Ray Bradbury, a couple was faced with this exact situation when their new-born child is born into the fourth dimension and resembles a blue pyramid to humans. In an _expression of love, the parents of the child go into the fourth dimension themselves so they can see and communicate with their child. This story is a classic example of literary work, because of the descriptions, the complex characters, and creativity of the story line. Throughout the story, descriptive words and phrases are used to interest the reader. On page 31 of I Sing The Body Electric!, it says "The oblong moved in the air over a vast bright plain of pyramids, hexagons, oblongs, pillars, bubbles, and multi-colored cubes." This passage gives good insight to how the baby sees the world around him through the fourth dimension. It also gives the story a poetic sound. Bradbury also uses similes to describe the baby. (p. 31) "When it cried it made a weird whistling noise, like some jungle animal lost and wailing". This simile better describes the sound of the baby's crying. It makes the reader feel like they're really with the baby. In addition, the complexity of the characters adds spice to the story. The mother goes through a dramatic change as she spirals into alcohol abuse and excess drug usage. Her downfall is caused by the heavy burden of raising a blue pyramid as her child. I find it impressive that Bradbury could create conflict like that in a short story. The father expresses his thoughts as the main character and his honest personality shines through the pages. I like the way he took charge when his wife was drunk and showing the baby to all the neighbors. He demonstrates a classic father role. Also, at the end when the parents decide to go into the fourth dimension to see their baby in its natural state (thus turning into abnormal shapes themselves), their love for their baby is made clear. I enjoyed the fact that the parents had such great love for their child. I also liked their unselfishness in giving up their physical appearances for their baby. The creative story line is the other reason this story is interesting. Science fiction lovers will enjoy the thought-provoking situation that the couple finds themselves in. The "fourth dimension" theme is a good way to start this story of parental love. I found it very touching that the parents were willing to give up everything: their friends, their career, and their physical appearances for the sake of their child. This ending also leaves the reader with questions and thoughts, such as how did the child respond to the change in his parents. I also wonder if they will ever have another child, and if so, would he be in the fourth dimension as well? I don't find the questions a flaw, however, because what's the point of reading a short story if you're not going to think about it afterwards? In conclusion, the story "Tomorrow's Child" is a recommended read because of its descriptive language, complex characters, and creative storyline. Science fiction readers will especially enjoy this Twilight Zone-like story because of its imagination. I also recommend other Bradbury stories such as "The Women" and "In Sing the Body Electric!". So, if you are looking for a good story that provokes the imagination, pick up I Sing The Body Electric for a story line you'll never forget!