Consequences Of Technology In The Veldt, By Ray Bradbury

“The Veldt” is a short story written by Ray Bradbury on September 23, 1950. Bradbury, known for his science fiction genre, wrote many novels including: Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, Dandelion Wine and more. The common theme of his novels is that humans can be manipulated by technology. “The Veldt” is about a family that has a very technologically advanced home that performs every task for them. The children eventually get revenge on their parents with their own technology – the nursery. Through the course of the story, Bradbury uses characterization to portray his characters as vivid, real and believable, illustrates his style through science fiction and foreshadowing, and displays the consequences of technological advances. “The Veldt” illustrates that too much technology can negatively affect a family. Ray Bradbury characterizes George and Lydia Hadley as loving parents. “He loves his children, and is concerned about their welfare” (The Veldt). …show more content…
This home is equipped to complete all chores, eliminating any need for parents. Bernardo states, “The technological marvel that was to provide a safe and carefree environment for the Hadley’s creates instead the violent world of the veldt” (3). Bradbury has the parents initially welcome this new technology, but as the story progresses, not only do they lose control of this new technology, but the children are now ruled by it. “‘The Veldt’ presents an extremely negative view of the effect of technology on a family” (Reid 40). George says, “When I punished him a month ago by locking the nursery for even a few hours – the tantrum he threw! And Wendy too. They live for the nursery” (Bradbury 3). Wendy and Peter are so engrossed and controlled by the nursery they become disobedient to their parents. Technology has become the parents for the