Analysis of The Veldt- Technologies

Eric Cui Ms. Danielson CP English 2 4 March 2019 Analysis of “The Veldt” Technology is such a wonderful thing that ever happened to mankind. It is the invention by the man that is said to have reduced the world into a global village where people can do anything they fancy from the comfort of their houses or offices. Technology has become part and parcel of people’s lives right now, and people cannot live without it. Today even a four-year-old kid knows how to download a game on the iPad, grandparents know how to take selfies with an iPhone. People are dependent on technology too much; no one wants to write a letter anymore; it is much easier to text on their phone or write an email. Technology not only makes people’s lives easier but also makes people lazier. This research will focus on the analysis of a story, “The Veldt,” about a virtual room that has got out of control. “The Veldt” is a short story by Ray Bradbury, about two parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley who are experiencing real-life challenges with their two kids, Peter and Wendy due to their technologically advanced home. The family lives in an automated room called “The Happylife Home” which helps them with house chores and various tasks such as cooking, washing, and bathing. The house also has the nursery which is a virtual reality room that can reproduce anything one can imagine of. In this story, the author uses setting to demonstrate and reveal how technology ruins lives. Like a coin with two sides, the story illustrates how technology despite its numerous benefits impact negatively on society or put another way, the people who use it. First, it makes people stop thinking with the brain, acts with their body as they live everything they have to the technology. The Veldt makes Lydia feels useless to the family. Her expression demonstrated dissatisfaction with technology. “I feel like I don’t belong here. The house is a wife and a mother now and a nursemaid.” (Bradbury, 3). Peter, on the other hand, has become very lazy courtesy of the technological advancement. He doesn’t want to do anything but just look, listen and smell. People rely on technology too much in daily life. People have a hard time living without technology. It has already become part of life. The theme of dissatisfaction with technology can also be seen where Lydia doesn’t cook but watch the machine do it for her. “Maybe I don’t have enough to do. Maybe I have time to think too much. Why don’t we shut the whole house off for a few day...