On the Verge of the (Un)Known: Zero Hour by Ray Bradbury and the Paintings of René Magritte

Abstract

The article discusses the correlation of ambience in Ray Bradbury’s science fiction short story Zero Hour and the paintings by a well-known Belgian Surrealist René Magritte. It specifies first the influences of Scuola Metaphysica on creating the specific poignant atmosphere visible in the works of the painter and then focuses on pointing out similar notions in the short story by Bradbury. Next, the article analyses the techniques, employed by both the artist and the writer, that help to create the above-mentioned mood. The focus is predominantly on Bradbury’s narrative where the linguistic level as well as the visual one are considered and then the analysis follows in relation to such mechanisms as contrast, juxtaposition, non sequitur or dépaysement.