Ray Bradbury's The Skeleton

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The Skeleton In the story “The Skeleton” , Ray Bradbury touches on one of society's problems, being satisfied with yourself. 91% of just women alone stated they are unhappy with their bodies during a survey conducted by Statistic Brain Research Institution. Mr. Harris relates to this because he had a distorted perception of his outer skin and his inner skeleton. He tried different methods and different doctors to fix his uncomfortableness with himself, like many people do today. Ray Bradbury exposed the issue of not feeling comfortable in your skin. Mr. Harris repeatedly went to a doctor complaining of irritation with his bones. "Aches in your bones again! Ah!" He scowled at Harris and adjusted his glasses. Dr. Burleigh stated "My dear Harris, you've been curried with the finest tooth combs and bacteria-brushes known to science. You're only nervous.” ( Bradbury 32) This references the theme of not being comfortable in your own skin. Mr. Harris went repeatedly to the doctor attempting to find new medications and new ideas for him to feel better about himself. Mr. Harris was not satisfied with the first doctor’s explanation for the way he felt about his body so he found a new doctor. Mr. Munigant made Mr. Harris aware of his skeleton and what it does. “The skeleton. Most difficult. …show more content…

These pictures were in Mr. Munigants office for Mr. Harris to see. Ray Bradbury used these to symbolize Mr.Harris’s view on his own body. These paintings have a direct correlation with how Mr. Harris saw himself and felt about himself. Also Mr. Harris seeked to change his body appearance which relates to the theme of not being comfortable in your own skin. He confronted a man at the bar and questioned how he obtained the body he had. “"I beg your pardon, but, as you see, I'm down to the marrow. Adding weight seems an impossibility. I'd like a belly like that one of yours, it's tops. Did you grow it because you were afraid?" (Bradbury

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