The Veldt Theme Essay
The futuristic story, “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury takes place on a farther developed Earth. George, father of Peter and Wendy as well as wife to Lydia has a nursery created for his children. Little does he know that his own are plotting against him. One theme that this story holds that may be the most crucial is, when you’re spoiled, you will stop at nothing to continue that lifestyle.
From the beginning you can tell the family, especially Peter and Wendy are pampered. Whether it was the simple machines like shoe tier and picture painter or the vast creation machine of the Veldt, ordinary children did not obtain such items. Mr. Mclean himself said that “you’d starve tomorrow if something went wrong in the kitchen. You wouldn’t know how to tap an egg.” That excerpt from the story shows how much they rely on the way they are currently living. The children are very protective of this lifestyle, when prompted whether they …show more content…
conjured Africa, the children deny it and change the Veldt to the usual Rima to “fool” their parents. However, George is bringing these resistant behaviors out of his children himself. He began intruding into their privacy, from the day at the fair to their activities in the Veldt. Although some believe he was doing his duty as a father, which is completely true, he did not realize that the Veldt was replacing his role of a father of his children. Him being a father, may of been the sole cause of his downfall.
During the middle of the story, you can clearly see the constant lust from the children for their machines.
As George ponders the idea of disabling the Veldt, he is confronted by his son Peter. Threatening his father was the first step in protecting the Veldt for Peter, however his acts did nothing but get him banished away by him. Although, he curiosity may have accelerated the process of the eradication of his parents, and some believe that is what he and his sister truly wanted. If this claim is true, Peter succeeded in his confrontation. It was spoken as so, “I don’t think you’d better consider it anymore, Father” this threat did nothing but anger his father, receiving “I won’t have any threats from my son!” in return. Although Peter and Wendy did more than just threaten, confusingly enough they drenched their parents possessions in blood. Geniuses of their age, Peter and Wendy foresaw the inevitable growing suspicion of their parents. Knowing they must entice the lions to protect their beloved nursery, as well as enlarge the lust for human
blood. At the end of the book, retaliation from Peter and Wendy is at large. Once, the Veldt is temporarily shut down, the children go ballistic. At first they bombarded their father with insults and threats. As this happens, Lydia is equally upset and begs her husband to revive the Veldt for the children's sake, one final time. This may have been a very thoughtful thing to do as a mother, but it was the words that were required to allow Peter and Wendy’s plan to succeed. Secondly and most importantly, the children lured and trapped their parents in the Veldt, with the lions. Once it was entirely announced that not only would the Veldt be shut down, but the family would be abandoning their mechanical way of life for a vacation, the children struck. To our knowledge killing their parents before the arrival of Mr. Mclean, who only greets them at the tea table until the story ends. This large section of the story puts it out in the open that the children would stop at nothing to get what they want.
Throughout the entire story, it’s quite clear the children are spoiled. In the beginning with the picture painter and shoe tier. The middle, with Peter and Wendy lying as part of the efforts to fool their parents, though to no avail. However, the ending proved it all, the horrifying murders of George and Lydia once they defied their own children. These three sections equally contributed to the main theme Ray Bradbury was creating, which was when you become spoiled, you will stop at nothing to continue that lifestyle.
From the beginning you can tell the family, especially Peter and Wendy are pampered. Whether it was the simple machines like shoe tier and picture painter or the vast creation machine of the Veldt, ordinary children did not obtain such items. Mr. Mclean himself said that “you’d starve tomorrow if something went wrong in the kitchen. You wouldn’t know how to tap an egg.” That excerpt from the story shows how much they rely on the way they are currently living. The children are very protective of this lifestyle, when prompted whether they …show more content…
conjured Africa, the children deny it and change the Veldt to the usual Rima to “fool” their parents. However, George is bringing these resistant behaviors out of his children himself. He began intruding into their privacy, from the day at the fair to their activities in the Veldt. Although some believe he was doing his duty as a father, which is completely true, he did not realize that the Veldt was replacing his role of a father of his children. Him being a father, may of been the sole cause of his downfall.
During the middle of the story, you can clearly see the constant lust from the children for their machines.
As George ponders the idea of disabling the Veldt, he is confronted by his son Peter. Threatening his father was the first step in protecting the Veldt for Peter, however his acts did nothing but get him banished away by him. Although, he curiosity may have accelerated the process of the eradication of his parents, and some believe that is what he and his sister truly wanted. If this claim is true, Peter succeeded in his confrontation. It was spoken as so, “I don’t think you’d better consider it anymore, Father” this threat did nothing but anger his father, receiving “I won’t have any threats from my son!” in return. Although Peter and Wendy did more than just threaten, confusingly enough they drenched their parents possessions in blood. Geniuses of their age, Peter and Wendy foresaw the inevitable growing suspicion of their parents. Knowing they must entice the lions to protect their beloved nursery, as well as enlarge the lust for human
blood. At the end of the book, retaliation from Peter and Wendy is at large. Once, the Veldt is temporarily shut down, the children go ballistic. At first they bombarded their father with insults and threats. As this happens, Lydia is equally upset and begs her husband to revive the Veldt for the children's sake, one final time. This may have been a very thoughtful thing to do as a mother, but it was the words that were required to allow Peter and Wendy’s plan to succeed. Secondly and most importantly, the children lured and trapped their parents in the Veldt, with the lions. Once it was entirely announced that not only would the Veldt be shut down, but the family would be abandoning their mechanical way of life for a vacation, the children struck. To our knowledge killing their parents before the arrival of Mr. Mclean, who only greets them at the tea table until the story ends. This large section of the story puts it out in the open that the children would stop at nothing to get what they want.
Throughout the entire story, it’s quite clear the children are spoiled. In the beginning with the picture painter and shoe tier. The middle, with Peter and Wendy lying as part of the efforts to fool their parents, though to no avail. However, the ending proved it all, the horrifying murders of George and Lydia once they defied their own children. These three sections equally contributed to the main theme Ray Bradbury was creating, which was when you become spoiled, you will stop at nothing to continue that lifestyle.