Embroidery (Bradbury)
Encyclopedia
"Embroidery" is a science fiction
short story
by author Ray Bradbury
. This story was originally published in 1951 by Stadium Publishing Corp. It is included in the collection A Sound of Thunder and Other Stories (2005).
The plot of "Embroidery" follows three women (who themselves are not described) as they attempt to sew back in the world that surrounds them before it ends in an apocalyptic
manner.
The story is set in America, though no real description of the location is given within the story it appears to be an isolated house surrounded by fields and meadows as is the scene in one of the women's pieces of work.
Despite the extreme shortness time makes a constant appearance within the story as the women count down to 5 o'clock, at which time an experiment will occur, the results of which are unknown to the women. The constant reference of time is used to build up a climactic effect, creating a sense of tension as the women await their fate.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by author Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury
Ray Douglas Bradbury is an American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , Bradbury is one of the most celebrated among 20th...
. This story was originally published in 1951 by Stadium Publishing Corp. It is included in the collection A Sound of Thunder and Other Stories (2005).
The plot of "Embroidery" follows three women (who themselves are not described) as they attempt to sew back in the world that surrounds them before it ends in an apocalyptic
Apocalypse
An Apocalypse is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament...
manner.
The story is set in America, though no real description of the location is given within the story it appears to be an isolated house surrounded by fields and meadows as is the scene in one of the women's pieces of work.
Despite the extreme shortness time makes a constant appearance within the story as the women count down to 5 o'clock, at which time an experiment will occur, the results of which are unknown to the women. The constant reference of time is used to build up a climactic effect, creating a sense of tension as the women await their fate.