hi, i have a research paper due on Monday about Ray Bradbury. I thought I had all the information I needed but it turns out that I need to know who influenced Ray Bradbury and what are some major themes in his novel. I keep doing search after search on the internet for his influences but I cant find any. Can anyone help me with either his influences or themes?...thank you if you can help me!

Hi,

In response to your query, I believe that Ray cites as his major literary influences Verne, Burroughs, Shaw, Poe, Melville, as well as such creative folks as Lon Chaney and Laurel and Hardy. Really he reads and loves them all.

Themes? Childhood, optimism, heritage, family. He uses science fiction to help solve problems in our present. He warns against living a life too involved with "instant gratification" media, and tries to remind us the value of a book, a rocking chair, a walk beside a slow river.