the dog enters the house and is very weak and frail, which shows that the consequences of man's actions have harmed all life.

'aluminum roaches and iron crickets, and in hot still air butterflies.' : something as minute as insects was also created by machines.

The fact that to create something enjoyable technology still has to use nature, brings out the theme of technology versus nature.

'yellow giraffes, blue lions, pink antelopes, lilac panthers.' : use of unnatural colors depicts their perceived supremacy as they feel they can bend nature to their will.

'pink electric eyes.' : also depicts the façade of human supremacy.

It shows the façade of human supremacy, as they think they can bend nature at their will.

'tiny robot mice darted' : mice are considered to be pests, but in the house they are cleaning everything.

Technology's perceived dominance over nature

later, when the fire starts to destroy the house, it is still treated as a living entity.

'No, not even a bird must touch the house!'.

'if a sparrow brushed the window, the shade snapped shut.'.

throughout the story, the house wants to remove any signs of nature that it sees, which brings out the main theme of nature versus technology.

It is ironic that later on it is cleaning liquid that causes the house's demise.

'old-maidenly preoccupation with self-protection which bordered on mechanical paranoia.' : house is compared to an old woman who is obsessed with cleaning.

Makes it seem very arrogant and boastful, and shows the perceived dominance of machines over nature.

'the house stood alone in a city of rubble and ashes.' : powerful image shows that this was the only house standing.

'the breakfast stove gave a hissing sigh.'.

'voice-clock sang, Tick-tock, seven o' clock, time to get up, time to get up, seven o' clock.'.This near human-like form that the house has taken foreshadows the major role they play in this post-apocalyptic future. It also reinforces the theme of nature versus technology when the house is destroyed, or, as the writer says, it 'begins to die'. throughout the story the house is personified, and this shows how it has almost taken the form of humans, and that machines had become such a big part of human lives.Music played.' : ironic that a party is being set up but no one is there. Martinis manifested on an oaken bench with egg-salad sandwiches. Playing cards flustered onto pads in a shower of pips. 'Bridge tables sprouted from patio walls.This brings out the theme of insignificance of mankind. throughout the story the house remains indifferent and continues to do its job despite no humans being present.signifies that nature will always prevail, and brings out the theme of insignificance of mankind.

There will come soft rains short story