Skip to content

Art work Quote by Ray Bradbury

“One minute it was Ohio winter, with doors closed, windows locked, the panes blind with frost, icicles fringing every roof, children skiing on slopes, housewives lumbering like great black bears in their furs along the icy streets. And then a long wave of warmth crossed the small town. A flooding…” quote by Ray Bradbury
Download Open image
““One minute it was Ohio winter, with doors closed, windows locked, the panes blind with frost, icicles fringing every roof, children skiing on slopes, housewives lumbering like great black bears in their furs along the icy streets. And then a long wave of warmth crossed the small town. A flooding sea of hot air; it seemed as if someone had left a bakery door open. The heat pulsed among the cottages and bushes and children. The icicles dropped, shattering, to melt. The doors flew open. The windows flew up. The children worked off their wool clothes. The housewives shed their bear disguises. The snow dissolved and showed last summer's ancient green lawns. Rocket summer. The words passed among the people in the open, airing houses. Rocket summer. The warm desert air changing the frost patterns on the windows, erasing the art work. The skis and sleds suddenly useless. The snow, falling from the cold sky upon the town, turned to a hot rain before it touched the ground. Rocket summer. People leaned from their dripping porches and watched the reddening sky. The rocket lay on the launching field, blowing out pink clouds of fire and oven heat. The rocket stood in the cold winter morning, making summer with every breath of its mighty exhausts. The rocket made climates, and summer lay for a brief moment upon the land…””

Ray Bradbury

About This Quote

Source Short Story: “The Rocket” in The Illustrated Man, 1951

A sudden, intense heat wave transforms a frozen town into a brief, artificial summer, symbolizing how technology can temporarily alter climate and perception.

In simple terms: Heat wave changes winter to summer, showing tech’s temporary climate impact.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the fleeting nature of artificial change.

Themes

technology change impermanence nature humanity

Mood

reflective melancholic hopeful

Type

descriptive metaphorical cautionary

When to use this quote

  • urban planning
  • environmental policy
  • emergency response
  • community resilience
  • education about climate effects

Key Concepts

climate manipulation temporary relief human adaptation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we balance technological benefits with environmental stability?
  • What are the long‑term impacts of temporary climate alterations?
A Different Perspective

The change is short‑lived and may cause unintended consequences.

2.6 out of 5 (3 ratings)

More by Ray Bradbury

Explore all 1,522 Ray Bradbury quotes

More Art work quotes

Browse all 484 Art work quotes