First Draft:

The Veldt Response

Originally, when I began reading the short story, the Veldt had been a slow start for me. I believed it to be another chronicle of the problems of a first world American family, something that has never resonated with me and my tastes for reading. Shortly after realizing it was written by none other than the Ray Bradbury, I knew there was going to be a sci-fi twist to the story, which captivated my attention.

I soon became enveloped by the elements of Bradbury’s writing and immediately became enamored within the novel, moving closer to the edge of my seat as the story drove closer to the end. As Bradbury began describing the environment of the sci-fi nursery, I could feel the heat of the African sun beaming down on my cheeks, the smell of sub saharan Veldt perforated my imagination. He states, “The hot straw smell of lion grass, the cool green smell of the hidden water hole, the strong dried blood smell of the animals…” (Bradbury, 1950). Bradbury’s usage of imagery began drawing me into the short story, as if I was standing right there with the parents in the nursery.

I also want to touch upon the fact that some elements of this “far fetched” sci-fi story has become reality in today’s modernized technological world. Bradbury’s original intention of creating this somewhat absurd, futuristic depiction has in many ways come to life in 2018. In The Veldt, Peter and Wendy become obsessed with the nursery, so much so that they can be seen calling out to the home, as if it was a conscious being. “ ‘Don’t let them do it!’ cried Peter to the ceiling, as if he was talking to the house, the nursery. ‘Don’t let Father kill everything’’ (Bradbury, 1950). In this day and age, today’s children have become so wrapped up in their technologies that their physical well being is being compromised due to their obsession, similar to Peter and Wendy’s in the Veldt. In the article, “Children struggle to hold pencils due to too much tech, doctors say” by Amelia Hill, Hill states that “Children are increasingly finding it hard to hold pens and pencils because of an excessive use of technology, senior paediatric doctors have warned”(Hill, 2018). In this quote, it reveals how our children have become so alike to Peter and Wendy in so many ways, their obsession and reliance to technology leading them even to damage themselves physically.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this short story by Bradbury and found myself becoming more increasingly enveloped with the story as Bradbury’s skillful usage of literary elements came into play. His use of foreshadow with the chewed up wallets and personal items of the parents, along with other literary elements, drew me into the story. I also realized the bleak reality Bradbury had unknowingly painted for us today. I do hope we continue reading more pieces by Bradbury as the semester progresses.

Bibliography:

       Hill, A. (2018, February 25). Children struggle to hold pencils due to too much tech, doctors say. Retrieved September 17, 2018, from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/25/children-struggle-to-hold-pencils-due-to-too-much-tech-doctors-say

Bradbury, R. (1950, February). The Veldt – Intermediate Level Story. Retrieved September 17, 2018, from https://www.juhsd.net/cms/lib/CA01902464/Centricity/Domain/256/2016_The Veldt.pdf

 

Final:

*Added paragraph of what occurred during in class discussion

The Veldt Response

Originally, when I began reading the short story, the Veldt had been a slow start for me. I believed it to be another chronicle of the problems of a first world American family, something that has never resonated with me and my tastes for reading. Shortly after realizing it was written by none other than the Ray Bradbury, I knew there was going to be a sci-fi twist to the story, which captivated my attention.

I soon became enveloped by the elements of Bradbury’s writing and immediately became enamored within the novel, moving closer to the edge of my seat as the story drove closer to the end. As Bradbury began describing the environment of the sci-fi nursery, I could feel the heat of the African sun beaming down on my cheeks, the smell of sub saharan Veldt perforated my imagination. He states, “The hot straw smell of lion grass, the cool green smell of the hidden water hole, the strong dried blood smell of the animals…” (Bradbury, 1950). Bradbury’s usage of imagery began drawing me into the short story, as if I was standing right there with the parents in the nursery.

I also want to touch upon the fact that some elements of this “far fetched” sci-fi story has become reality in today’s modernized technological world. Bradbury’s original intention of creating this somewhat absurd, futuristic depiction has in many ways come to life in 2018. In The Veldt, Peter and Wendy become obsessed with the nursery, so much so that they can be seen calling out to the home, as if it was a conscious being. “ ‘Don’t let them do it!’ cried Peter to the ceiling, as if he was talking to the house, the nursery. ‘Don’t let Father kill everything’’ (Bradbury, 1950). In this day and age, today’s children have become so wrapped up in their technologies that their physical well being is being compromised due to their obsession, similar to Peter and Wendy’s in the Veldt. In the article, “Children struggle to hold pencils due to too much tech, doctors say” by Amelia Hill, Hill states that “Children are increasingly finding it hard to hold pens and pencils because of an excessive use of technology, senior paediatric doctors have warned”(Hill, 2018). In this quote, it reveals how our children have become so alike to Peter and Wendy in so many ways, their obsession and reliance to technology leading them even to damage themselves physically.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this short story by Bradbury and found myself becoming more increasingly enveloped with the story as Bradbury’s skillful usage of literary elements came into play. His use of foreshadow with the chewed up wallets and personal items of the parents, along with other literary elements, drew me into the story. I also realized the bleak reality Bradbury had unknowingly painted for us today. I do hope we continue reading more pieces by Bradbury as the semester progresses.