The Illustrated Man

The Illustrated Man

• Genre: Science fiction; short stories
• Originally Published: 1951
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 680L; young adult and adult
• Structure/Length: Collection of 18 short stories with prologue and epilogue; approx. 304 pages; approx. 9 hours and 26 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The Illustrated Man is a collection of interconnected science fiction short stories with varying central conflicts. The titular character, the Illustrated Man, is covered in animated tattoos that tell the stories of his past and future. Each story delves into different futuristic scenarios, exploring themes of technology, morality, humanity, and the consequences of human actions.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Science fiction; futuristic concepts; moral dilemmas

Ray Bradbury, Author

• Bio: Born 1920, deceased 2012; American author known for his contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction; celebrated for his vivid and imaginative storytelling; body of work includes novels, short stories, and essays that have left a lasting impact on the world of speculative fiction
• Other Works: The Martian Chronicles (1950); Fahrenheit 451 (1953); Dandelion Wine (1957); Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962); The Halloween Tree (1972)
• Awards: International Fantasy Award nominee (1952); National Medal of Arts (2004); Pulitzer Prize (2007); Eaton Award for Lifetime Achievement in Science Fiction (2008)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide: