Response: The Veldt

The twenty-first century is a great time to be alive. With the evolution of technology and machinery, our society has transformed dramatically over the past decades. Human lives have become effortless than ever, as we persistently depend on modern instruments for even our simplest tasks. While it is accurate that the use of technology has its virtue, there is a need to look beyond the mainstream perception which we often tend to ignore: the disastrous impacts of this captivating technology.

“The Veldt,” by Ray Bradbury is the perfect depiction of this concern. The short story circles around a family of four. George and Lydia, and their two children, Peter and Wendy, who live in a highly sophisticated house loaded with modern-day gadgets. Powered by artificial intelligence, the house can perform from simple to most complicated tasks for its inhabitants. Not to forget, Bradbury published this story in the 1950s when technology had not advanced to this level. However, author’s creative mind and exceptional foresight helped him write a thought-provoking masterpiece for the generations to follow.  His ‘futuristic world’ is close to the time we live in today. Bradbury’s incredibly rich descriptive style enables readers to visualize and become part of the setting. The vivid and eloquent details maintain the crisp of his narrative and ensure the reader’s interest.

The author has multiple approaches to his composition. Peter and Wendy, who are provided with world-class facilities by their parents, however, still show a weak relationship with their parents. Since the usual tasks which parents are supposed to conduct for their children are now taken over by machines, the children do not feel the need of parents anymore. They are indulged in their gadgets which help them shower, tie shoes, cook food and pretty much accomplish everything they wish for. The author points out how fascinating technology is liable for deteriorating parents-children bond. This is ironic since, on a broader level, technology has tended to improve communication across the world.

The other idea is more of a psychological approach towards the characters. The ‘nursery’ in their ‘smart-home’ provides life to the thoughts of the children. Parents, however, became concerned when they witnessed horrific images depicting bloodshed and violence in the nursery. This is due lack of healthy parenting by George and Lydia which has given rise to children’s vicious and wild attitude. An example is when parents threatened to shut down the ‘nursery,’ children became furious and enraged. Their words were, “I wish you were dead!” (Bradbury 30) Later, children manipulated the nursery by locking down their parents in dreadful ‘African Veldt’ which had absolutely no way out.

Bradbury’s composition holds a crucial message about using technology wisely. If not done so, the technology which a man created for his comfort, may terminate the existence of its master.

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