Exploring Imagery in The Pedestrian

Front

In "The Pedestrian," what does the word "phantom" suggest about the city?

Back

The city is empty and ghostly.

Answer explanation

The word "phantom" implies a sense of emptiness and eeriness in the city, suggesting it is ghostly and devoid of life, contrasting with a lively or vibrant atmosphere.

Front

Imagery used to depict the houses in "The Pedestrian"?

Back

Dark and tomb-like.

Answer explanation

In "The Pedestrian," the houses are described with a sense of lifelessness and isolation, evoking a dark and tomb-like atmosphere. This imagery contrasts sharply with the idea of brightness and warmth, making "dark and tomb-like" the best choice.

Front

What figurative language is used when describing the television sets in the story?

Back

Personification

Front

What effect does the setting of "The Pedestrian" have on the story's atmosphere?

Back

The desolate setting creates a bleak atmosphere.

Answer explanation

The desolate setting in "The Pedestrian" emphasizes isolation and emptiness, contributing to a bleak atmosphere. This stark environment reflects the protagonist's loneliness in a world dominated by technology.

Front

What does the imagery of the "grey phantoms" suggest about the inhabitants of the city?

Back

They are passive and lifeless.

Answer explanation

The imagery of "grey phantoms" evokes a sense of dullness and lack of vitality, suggesting that the inhabitants of the city are passive and lifeless, rather than energetic or adventurous.

Front

Tone of the police car's interaction with Leonard Mead?

Back

Cold and mechanical.

Answer explanation

The police car's interaction with Leonard Mead is characterized as cold and mechanical, reflecting a lack of warmth or personal connection, which aligns with the dystopian setting of the story.

Front

How does the setting of "The Pedestrian" enhance the theme of the story?

Back

The desolate streets emphasise the isolation caused by technology.

Answer explanation

The desolate streets in 'The Pedestrian' highlight the stark isolation that technology brings to society, contrasting the protagonist's love for walking with the empty, lifeless urban environment created by technological advancement.

Front

What does Leonard Mead's nightly walks reveal about his character?

Back

He is a non-conformist.

Answer explanation

Leonard Mead's nightly walks show he is a non-conformist, as he chooses to engage with the world outside rather than conform to the isolating technology that others embrace, highlighting his individuality and resistance to societal norms.

Front

What is the significance of Leonard Mead being the only pedestrian?

Back

It highlights his loneliness and individuality.

Answer explanation

Leonard Mead being the only pedestrian emphasizes his loneliness and individuality in a society dominated by technology, showcasing how he stands apart from the conforming masses.

Front

How does the word choice in the description of the police car contribute to the story's theme?

Back

It highlights the car's authority and control.

Answer explanation

The word choice in describing the police car emphasizes its authority and control, reinforcing the theme of power dynamics in the story. This portrayal suggests the car is a symbol of law enforcement's dominance.