Lesson 11: Summarizing Literary Text

Question

What is a summary? (Lesson pg. 1)
a concise overview of a larger text, document, or piece of information

What does being objective mean? (Lesson pg. 3)
approaching a situation, topic, or evaluation without personal biases, emotions, or subjective interpretations

If you have not done so already, read the short story “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury. You may also watch this video. Then complete the Summarizing Texts Graphic Organizer below.
Summarizing Texts Graphic Organizer
Somebody
Who is the main character?

Wanted
What did the character want?

But
What was the problem or conflict?

So
How did the character respond to the problem?

Then
What was the resolution? How did it end?

Combine your answers to the questions above to write a summary of the story in the box to the right.

Answer 1

Summarizing Texts Graphic Organizer

Somebody
Who is the main character?
The main character is Leonard Mead, a man who enjoys walking and is a writer in a futuristic society.

Wanted
What did the character want?
Leonard Mead wanted to walk freely and experience life outside, enjoying the solitude and the world around him.

But
What was the problem or conflict?
The problem was that society had become dominated by technology and television, leading to a lack of human interaction. Leonard stood out as a nonconformist, which made him a target in this repressive environment.

So
How did the character respond to the problem?
Leonard continued to take nighttime walks, defying the societal norms and embracing his individuality despite the dangers it posed.

Then
What was the resolution? How did it end?
In the end, Leonard is stopped by a robotic police car, which questions him and ultimately takes him away, showing the harsh consequences of his nonconformity in a society that prizes conformity.

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Summary of the story:
In Ray Bradbury's "The Pedestrian," the main character, Leonard Mead, is a writer living in a dystopian society where people are obsessed with technology and television. He desires to walk outside and engage with the world, but his love for long walks puts him at odds with a society that sees such behavior as suspicious. Despite this conflict, Leonard persists in taking his nightly strolls, relishing his freedom and individuality. However, his actions lead to a dire consequence when he is apprehended by a robotic police vehicle, illustrating the oppressive nature of a world that has forsaken personal connections.