The Veldt by Ray Bradbury talks about negative impacts of technology in young children. The fact that the Hadley's own a technological house, changed the children's perspective of the world, it distortion their morals and took control over their vulnerable minds. The obsession with technology was so big, they even attempted against the safety of their parents, by locking them both in the magical nursery. With this short story, I infer Ray Bradbury want to tell us that sometimes is good to enjoy the simplicity of life, appreciate its true nature and don't get obsessed with technology because you will obviously find yourself depending on it and not learning to do anything for yourself.
This short story include several elements that defines it as science fiction. One of the elements, and probably the strongest one, would be that it is set in the future. Other important element is the impact of technology in the story; the Hadley's live in a very advanced, technological house, it was bought so humans wouldn't waste any time into working or putting effort in "useless" actions. "His wife paused in the middle of the kitchen and watched the stone busy humming to itself, making supper for four." Since the house cooked, cleaned, bathed the children and did many more things, Mss. Hadley didn't feel that living in that house was natural anymore, she was very shocked and watching the house doing everything for them was making her realize the negativity of too much technology. Other sci-fi element is the nursery. "But this - the long, hot, African Veldt - the awful death in the jaws of a lion" The nursery is the most technological part of the house, it has the ability of creating virtual worlds that look totally realistic, by just thinking about a certain environment, situation, or emotion. That month, the Hadley children decided to crate a Veldt, it was fearsome and dangerous, but it was created with only one purpose: attempting against Mr. and Mrs. Hadley's well-being.
In The Veldt, Ray Bradbury uses several techniques to give the story an aura of intrigue and suspense. In his writing, he implements techniques like similes, personifications, metaphors, pacing, etc... To create that consuming aura, the use of similes is extremely important. "That sun. He could feel iron the back of his neck, still like a hot paw. Like the lions. And like the blood." Mr. Hadley senses something extremely wrong with the Veldt as soon as he feels its intensity. This simile is referring to Mr. Hadley 's emotions, he is scared because 10 year old children shouldn't be thinking about danger, nor blood, or death. Other important technique that gives the reader a great impact, is the use of metaphors and personifications. "The house is mother now, and nursemaid." This metaphor and personification is referring to Mrs. Hadley's desperation, she is very frustrated because she feels that she is competing against the house for the position of mother. Since the kids seem to love more the house and the nursery than they love their own parents, Mrs. Hadley questions the irrational love her children have for the house and since it doesn't feel natural nor right, she wants to shut down all the technology in the house.
In my opinion this is a great story because it can make us reflect on the negative effects of technology. Even if we don't notice, the world has become, each time, more and more dependent of technology and we should find immediate ways to prevent it. Some times, it is better to enjoy the simplicity of life and and its true nature. Appreciate what we are and what we are able to do based on feelings and emotions, because why would it be worth it to be a mother if your house can be a mother? I really liked this short story, I fell like it opens our minds and creates consciousness about a problematic we could be facing soon in the future if we do not prevent it. While I was reading it, I was very intrigued the whole time, specially in the end. I was very shocked and curious about the children's decision of killing their parents as an impulse to show devotion to their uncontrolled obsession with technology. It scares me how addictions can disrupt the fine morality of humans, specially children. The kids didn't know the true meaning of happiness because their mind was closed into the praising of the insufficient technological house. Even if I would love to have a nursery like theirs, to find some peace and momentary satisfaction, I wouldn't own one; I prefer to travel and live those experiences in real life because that's were you get the learning from. I prefer enjoying the simplicity of life and the goods nature has to offer.
This short story include several elements that defines it as science fiction. One of the elements, and probably the strongest one, would be that it is set in the future. Other important element is the impact of technology in the story; the Hadley's live in a very advanced, technological house, it was bought so humans wouldn't waste any time into working or putting effort in "useless" actions. "His wife paused in the middle of the kitchen and watched the stone busy humming to itself, making supper for four." Since the house cooked, cleaned, bathed the children and did many more things, Mss. Hadley didn't feel that living in that house was natural anymore, she was very shocked and watching the house doing everything for them was making her realize the negativity of too much technology. Other sci-fi element is the nursery. "But this - the long, hot, African Veldt - the awful death in the jaws of a lion" The nursery is the most technological part of the house, it has the ability of creating virtual worlds that look totally realistic, by just thinking about a certain environment, situation, or emotion. That month, the Hadley children decided to crate a Veldt, it was fearsome and dangerous, but it was created with only one purpose: attempting against Mr. and Mrs. Hadley's well-being.
In The Veldt, Ray Bradbury uses several techniques to give the story an aura of intrigue and suspense. In his writing, he implements techniques like similes, personifications, metaphors, pacing, etc... To create that consuming aura, the use of similes is extremely important. "That sun. He could feel iron the back of his neck, still like a hot paw. Like the lions. And like the blood." Mr. Hadley senses something extremely wrong with the Veldt as soon as he feels its intensity. This simile is referring to Mr. Hadley 's emotions, he is scared because 10 year old children shouldn't be thinking about danger, nor blood, or death. Other important technique that gives the reader a great impact, is the use of metaphors and personifications. "The house is mother now, and nursemaid." This metaphor and personification is referring to Mrs. Hadley's desperation, she is very frustrated because she feels that she is competing against the house for the position of mother. Since the kids seem to love more the house and the nursery than they love their own parents, Mrs. Hadley questions the irrational love her children have for the house and since it doesn't feel natural nor right, she wants to shut down all the technology in the house.
In my opinion this is a great story because it can make us reflect on the negative effects of technology. Even if we don't notice, the world has become, each time, more and more dependent of technology and we should find immediate ways to prevent it. Some times, it is better to enjoy the simplicity of life and and its true nature. Appreciate what we are and what we are able to do based on feelings and emotions, because why would it be worth it to be a mother if your house can be a mother? I really liked this short story, I fell like it opens our minds and creates consciousness about a problematic we could be facing soon in the future if we do not prevent it. While I was reading it, I was very intrigued the whole time, specially in the end. I was very shocked and curious about the children's decision of killing their parents as an impulse to show devotion to their uncontrolled obsession with technology. It scares me how addictions can disrupt the fine morality of humans, specially children. The kids didn't know the true meaning of happiness because their mind was closed into the praising of the insufficient technological house. Even if I would love to have a nursery like theirs, to find some peace and momentary satisfaction, I wouldn't own one; I prefer to travel and live those experiences in real life because that's were you get the learning from. I prefer enjoying the simplicity of life and the goods nature has to offer.