There could be a group of survivors as main characters. They might have different personalities and backgrounds, and their interactions would be important in the story. For example, there could be a strong - willed leader among them, a pessimist who thinks there's no hope, and an optimist who always tries to find a way out. Their clashes and cooperation would drive the story forward in Neil Bradbury's 'End of the World' short story.
The main theme could be about human nature in the face of catastrophe. When the end of the world is approaching, people might show their true selves, like fear, desperation, or sometimes unexpected heroism.
Ray Bradbury's end - of - the - world short stories often carry a sense of foreboding and a deep exploration of human nature. His stories might show how people react when faced with the ultimate destruction. For example, in some of his works, characters may either panic or find an unexpected inner strength.
Bradbury's stories frequently feature characters who are dreamers. They might be an old man with a wealth of stories and experiences, or a scientist who is on the verge of a great discovery but also facing moral dilemmas. Each character is carefully crafted to drive the story forward and explore different aspects of human existence.
A common theme is the fragility of human existence. Bradbury shows how easily our world and way of life can be disrupted. Another theme is the power of memory. Even as the world is ending, characters' memories play a crucial role in how they cope.
There's Douglas Spaulding in 'Dandelion Wine'. He's a young boy experiencing the joys and sorrows of summer in a small town. His adventures and his growing up are central to the story. And in 'There Will Come Soft Rains', the automated house can be considered a kind of main 'character'. It continues to function long after the humans are gone, showing a contrast between man - made technology and the absence of humanity.
In 'The Veldt', the main characters are the parents, George and Lydia Hadley, and their children. The parents are trying to deal with the over - indulged and somewhat menacing behavior of their kids, who are too attached to the virtual reality nursery.
As I haven't read the story, I can't be sure about the main characters. But it's likely to have a character who discovers the genie, perhaps a person in a difficult situation like a poor or desperate one. And of course, the genie itself would be a major character with its own personality, powers, and maybe a bit of mystery.
In 'The Veldt', the main characters are the Hadley family, especially the parents George and Lydia. They are the ones who face the consequences of their children's over - attachment to the high - tech nursery. In 'A Sound of Thunder', Eckels is a central figure. He is the one who goes on the time - travel safari and makes the fateful mistake that changes the course of history. Another character is Guy Montag from 'Fahrenheit 451'. He is a fireman whose job is to burn books but then has a change of heart and starts to question the society he lives in.
The main characters in 'Zero Hour' are the children. They are the central focus of the story as they engage in the strange activities.
I'm not entirely sure as I haven't read this specific story recently. But typically in Bradbury's stories, the characters could be ordinary people who are thrust into extraordinary situations related to the Day of the Dead. Maybe there's a local guide who shows others the significance of the day, or a family member mourning a lost one.