25 pages 50 minutes read

Ray Bradbury

Marionettes, Inc.

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1949

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Symbols & Motifs

Marionettes

Central to the narrative’s thematic analysis, the marionettes in “Marionettes, Inc.” transcend their physical form to become metaphors for control, agency, and the intricate dynamics within human relationships. Crafted with meticulous detail, these humanoid figures assume a symbolic weight. They metamorphose into representations of the characters’ yearnings for dominance and influence over the various facets of their lives. The marionettes, in this context, serve as tangible manifestations of the characters’ attempts to pull the strings of their destinies. Marionettes, Inc.’s motto, “No Strings Attached” encapsulates the company’s promise of liberation without the encumbrance of emotional ties (72). Braling’s experience with Braling Two symbolizes the unforeseen repercussions of manipulating the strings of fate.

Lock and Key

The recurring motif of locks and keys within “Marionettes, Inc.” adds layers of complexity to the narrative, introducing an element of secrecy and concealed desires. The narrative’s portrayal of Braling locking away Braling Two in the cellar highlights the universal human inclination to hide certain aspects of existence. This motif extends beyond the physical act of confinement, delving into the psychological realms of privacy and autonomy.

The lock and key motif goes beyond being a simple mechanism and becomes an intricate examination of ethical considerations.

Related Titles

By Ray Bradbury

Plot Summary

logo

A Graveyard for Lunatics

Ray Bradbury

A Graveyard for Lunatics

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

All Summer In A Day

Ray Bradbury

All Summer In A Day

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

Dandelion Wine

Ray Bradbury

Dandelion Wine

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed

Ray Bradbury

Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed

Ray Bradbury

Plot Summary

logo

Death is a Lonely Business

Ray Bradbury

Death is a Lonely Business

Ray Bradbury

Plot Summary

logo

Selected from Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed

Ray Bradbury

Selected from Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Ray Bradbury

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

The Halloween Tree

Ray Bradbury

The Halloween Tree

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

The Other Foot

Ray Bradbury

The Other Foot

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

The Pedestrian

Ray Bradbury

The Pedestrian: A Fantasy in One Act

Ray Bradbury

Plot Summary

logo

The Toynbee Convector

Ray Bradbury

The Toynbee Convector

Ray Bradbury