25 pages • 50 minutes read
Ray BradburyMarionettes, Inc.
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1949A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
Braling
In Ray Bradbury’s “Marionettes, Inc.,” the character of Braling embodies the yearning for autonomy. Braling’s decision to buy a marionette illustrates his perception of marriage as a confining institution. Readers are initially encouraged to empathize with Braling as Smith recounts how his friend was trapped into marriage and forced to sacrifice his lifelong dream of going to Rio. However, the protagonist’s questionable ethics are underlined when he reveals he has bought an illegal marionette to deceive his wife.
Braling’s character becomes a vehicle for delving into the consequences of seeking autonomy through unconventional means. The pervasive use of irony in the narrative accentuates the complexities of Braling’s pursuit of freedom, as it inadvertently leads to unforeseen and undesirable outcomes. This narrative choice prompts readers to reflect on the intricate dance between personal desires and the need for compromise and mutual understanding within a relationship.
Smith
In “Marionettes, Inc.,” Smith assumes a crucial role. Although not the central character, he significantly influences the narrative’s trajectory. Serving as Braling’s confidant and friend, Smith provides an external perspective on the protagonist’s life. Underscoring the theme of Marriage Versus Individual Desires, he encourages his friend to complain about his wife with the prompt, “marriage has been awful for you, hasn’t it?” (66).
Smith’s character functions as a vital narrative device, propelling the story forward through candid observations and dialogue with Braling. His role transcends mere companionship, acting as a sounding board for Braling’s innermost concerns and secrets. Smith shares his friend’s perception of marriage as a restriction on personal freedom. He is depicted as somewhat arrogant in his claim that he needs “a little respite” from his wife’s overwhelming love (71). Bradbury demonstrates the irony of Smith’s assumptions when he discovers Nettie, like Braling, has substituted herself with a marionette. Smith’s inaccurate assessment of his wife’s feelings highlights the complexity of human relationships.
Braling Two
Braling Two, a product of Marionettes, Inc., emerges as a symbol embodying the ethical quandaries posed by the replication of humans through technology. As a humanoid replica meticulously crafted to mirror Braling “to the hairiest detail” (70), Braling Two underlines the delicate boundary between authenticity and artificiality. His character raises profound questions surrounding where technology ends and humanity begins. The feelings he develops for Mrs. Braling suggests he is sentient and, ironically, more willing to commit to a loving relationship than his human counterpart.
As a marionette, Braling Two symbolizes control. The notion that he has “No Strings Attached” takes on a dual meaning, emphasizing both his lack of physical strings and his potential to facilitate detached human relationships (72). Braling Two subverts the notion of marionettes being controlled by puppeteers by ultimately usurping his “master.” His character encourages readers to critically assess the ethics, implications, and potential dangers of seeking artificial solutions to deeply human challenges.
Related Titles
By Ray Bradbury
