'The Highway': An Early Response to Nuclear Armageddon
'The Highway' is a short story written by Ray Bradbury in 1950, offering one of his earliest reflections on the atom bomb and the specter of nuclear Armageddon. Although Bradbury is widely regarded as one of the greatest science-fiction writers of the twentieth century, he often referred to himself simply as a 'fantasy writer' or a 'writer.' While he is best known for his novels like the dystopian classic Fahrenheit 451 and the horror novel Something Wicked This Way Comes, Bradbury's mastery shines through in his short stories, including 'The Highway,' which was included in his collection The Illustrated Man.
Plot Summary of 'The Highway'
'The Highway' revolves around Hernando, a Mexican farmer who resides with his wife and baby in a humble hut situated alongside a highway leading to the United States. Many passing tourists stop and engage in conversations with Hernando, some even asking to take photographs of him. Despite their limited means, Hernando and his wife maintain a cheerful disposition.
It becomes evident that Hernando lives in poverty. He has fashioned rubber shoes from a discarded tire retrieved from a car that crashed into the nearby river, and he uses a hubcap as a makeshift water bowl. Life is a constant struggle for him and his family.
On the day the story unfolds, there is an unusual absence of cars on the highway. Typically, at least one vehicle passes by every hour. Hernando wonders about this anomaly when suddenly a succession of cars speeds past, filled with American tourists hastily retreating to the US from their Mexican vacations. The final car, an old Ford, is driven by a young American man accompanied by five anxious female passengers.
The driver, seeking assistance, approaches Hernando and requests water for the car's radiator. Resourceful as ever, Hernando uses the hubcap to carry water and helps the distressed travelers. The girls in the car appear visibly shaken by fear and uncertainty.
In a selfless act, Hernando refuses any payment for his assistance. As he remarks on the recent surge of northbound traffic, the passengers in the car burst into tears. They reveal that atomic warfare has finally struck, signaling the end of the world. Their desperate flight northward is driven by the impending devastation caused by this catastrophic event.
After the travelers depart and the highway returns to its usual tranquility, Hernando resumes his farming routine. Nonchalantly, he assures his wife that the situation is inconsequential, scoffing at the notion of calling it 'the end of the world.' For him, life continues with its usual challenges and uncertainties.
Analysis and Interpretation
'The Highway' offers Bradbury's early exploration of the theme of nuclear Armageddon and its impact on ordinary individuals. The story reflects the prevailing anxiety and fear that permeated society during the height of the Cold War and the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
While the plot may seem straightforward, the significance lies in the contrasting reactions of the characters. Hernando, the resilient farmer, represents the resilience and acceptance of everyday people who carry on with their lives despite the looming threat of nuclear devastation. His refusal to accept payment for his assistance symbolizes his inherent kindness and humanity in the face of adversity.
The fleeing American tourists, on the other hand, embody the fear and panic triggered by the imminent possibility of atomic warfare. Their tears reflect the deep-seated terror and realization that their world is on the brink of destruction. The contrast between Hernando's calm acceptance and the tourists' emotional breakdown underscores the different ways individuals respond to impending doom.
Bradbury's choice to set the story in Mexico and include American tourists fleeing to the United States adds a layer of commentary on the geopolitical dynamics of the time. It highlights the widespread fear and the potential consequences of a nuclear conflict on a global scale.
'The Highway' serves as a poignant reminder of the anxieties and uncertainties surrounding the Cold War era. Bradbury's ability to capture the human experience within the context of impending nuclear disaster showcases his literary prowess and his skillful exploration of profound themes.
'The Highway': Analysis
In Ray Bradbury's 'The Highway,' the stark contrast between the American tourists and Hernando, the Mexican farmer, reveals underlying themes of perspective, contentment, and the interplay between technology and humanity. The Americans, consumed by fear and racing back to the safety of their homeland, equate 'the world' with their own personal world. In contrast, Hernando finds solace and purpose in his modest life and the land he cultivates.
Bradbury subtly explores the irony within the story, prompting us to question where it truly lies. Is it in the Americans who conflate the larger world with their own self-interest, or does it reside in Hernando's dismissive attitude towards the impending catastrophe that will inevitably impact his own existence?
Examining Bradbury's broader perspectives on technology, particularly evident in his stories of the early 1950s addressing nuclear disasters, sheds light on the underlying message of 'The Highway.' The stark contrast between the Americans' world of abundance, mass consumerism, and advanced technology and Hernando's simple and self-sustaining lifestyle accentuates the likely disparity in the effects of the impending disaster on their lives.
However, Bradbury doesn't imply that Hernando will be unaffected. The beauty of the story lies in its nuanced portrayal of the potential consequences. The land Hernando relies upon for sustenance may become polluted, impeding crop growth, or even poisoned. Additionally, the absence of passing cars would eliminate Hernando's occasional source of discarded items, such as hubcaps and tires, which he repurposes for his daily needs.
Interestingly, the hubcap itself serves as a symbol of modernity within Bradbury's story. It symbolizes an intrusion of technology into Hernando's world, akin to a valuable coin. Throughout the narrative, the hubcap not only offers assistance to the Americans but also highlights the potential symbiotic relationship between technology and salvation.
However, Hernando's kindness and humanity play a crucial role. Despite the driver's attempt to offer payment, Hernando refuses, emphasizing that human compassion surpasses the significance of advanced technology. This sentiment aligns with Bradbury's recurring theme in his other stories, emphasizing the essential role of human kindness in shaping the impact of technological advancements.
In conclusion, 'The Highway' provides a nuanced exploration of perspectives and the delicate balance between technology and humanity. While the Americans succumb to fear and seek refuge in their world, Hernando's resilient contentment serves as a reminder that the impact of impending disasters can vary greatly, but ultimately, human compassion and empathy remain paramount.