Symbolism In The Veldt

Words: 1126
Pages: 5
Open Document
“The Veldt,” “Miriam,” and the Symbolism of Children
“Snips and snails, and puppy dog tails, that’s what little boys are made of. Sugar and spice and all things nice, that’s what little girls are made of.” Children are the epitome of innocence and curiosity. They overflow with courage and imagination, traits that seem to wear off with age. It is alarming when children are represented in ways that do not conform with the iconic images we have of children and childhood in general. Further examination of Ray Bradbury’s “The Veldt,” and Truman Capote’s “Miriam,” introduces the reader to images of horrifying children. These children symbolize rebellion, selfishness, and violence. How can a child, on the one hand, represent blamelessness and unconditional love, while on the other, shock us with their ability to hate and rebel? Discussed below are both stories and some of the complexities, ambiguities, and the dangers of childhood they suggest as well has how the adults in the stories have underestimated these ruthless children.
Generally, the reason behind children’s behavior is often misinterpreted by adults which results in conflict. Many problems arise …show more content…
Ten years old is premature for puberty, however, mid-childhood represents a period where kids prefer to be as far away as possible from their parent’s relentless watch and to discover the world on their own terms. “The Veldt” gives a chilling example of how this can go awry. Most kids reach that age and simply want to start picking out their own clothes as a means of expression, others may want a boyfriend and a piercing. Regardless, a “tween’s” desire to separate their identity from their parent’s identity is natural, as opposed to Peter and Wendy’s approach of feeding theirs to the lions, or Miriam’s tactic of moving in with a stranger. All three children are at a confusing age in which parental direction is most
Show More

Related Documents: Symbolism In The Veldt

Imagery And Symbolism In The Veldt By Ray Bradbury

In The Veldt, Ray Bradbury uses imagery and symbolism to show the sadistic actions caused by spoiled children. Ray Bradbury uses a compilation of various crafts in his creation of The Veldt. The first of the used crafts is imagery. Others mainly focus on the tone and mood aspects that Ray Bradbury used in The Veldt to show the horror in the story. It is true that the author uses tone and mood in the story however that would not have the same strength without imagery. The second craft used by Ray…

Words 595 - Pages 3

Symbolism In Catch 22 Veldt

The symbols in both Catch-22 and “The Veldt” create an all too real reality whether it is in an authoritative military society or a virtual world. Yossarian thinks “it’s cruel” his superiors focus more on the bombs exploding “close together” while “reducing a whole community to rubble” than the lives of the bombardiers and the “undefended village” (Heller 325-326). Each mission Yossarian risks his life for a photograph of the bombing patterns. The military “is less concerned with the pilot’s safety…

Words 417 - Pages 2

Descriptive Language In The Veldt By Ray Bradbury

In The Veldt, Ray bradbury utilizes descriptive language and symbolism to express the experiences of living in the Happylife home. The language used creates vivid lifelike images inside the reader's mind that immerses them into an almost unrealizable world. Imagery is another craft that is applied to the story some have said.Being true, it plays along with descriptive language and has a similar purpose. Symbolism is a heavy topic in this tale. Important parts stick out through symbols which help…

Words 623 - Pages 3

The Veldt Literary Analysis

as seen in Ray Bradbury’s short story, “The Veldt”. Present technologies like such could lead to problems seen in “The Veldt”. Smartphones become stuck to children’s faces like leaches and never leave. Interactions only with technology end up polluting children’s minds into forgetting about discipline and creating behavioral issues like the ones seen in “The Veldt”. In Bradbury’s short story, “The Veldt”, instances of foreshadowing and symbolism show the…

Words 661 - Pages 3

The Veldt Foreshadowing

Wendy and Peter have, in the short story “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury. This story takes place far in the future, where there is a room that is a 5D virtual reality that conforms to it’s occupants whims. Wendy, Peter and their parents own one of these rooms, but it is coming between, and wrecking their relationships. In “The Veldt,” Ray bradbury used symbolism, repetition, and foreshadowing to show the character’s conflicts. The use of the nursery in “The Veldt” helps to strengthen the stories conflict…

Words 608 - Pages 3

Ray Bradbury's Use Of 'Metaphors In The Veldt'

the short story, “The Veldt”, by Ray Bradbury, this threat of modern conveniences is made understandable by imagery, tone, repetition, and symbolism. Bradbury uses imagery and tone to encourage the reader to make connections, reinforcing the plot and making the text more intriguing. His descriptive imagery transports readers to his elaborate settings. Other readers may believe that similes and metaphors provide more to the story. However, imagery, tone, repetition and symbolism appear more frequently…

Words 897 - Pages 4

The Veldt Research Paper

family members. The Veldt, a short story written by Ray Bradbury in 1950, tells the story of a family living in a futuristic, automated house: the Happylife Home (“The Veldt”). This science fiction tale was inspired by Bradbury’s opinions on the rapid economic expansion in America after World War II, and its creation of the consumer culture. Bradbury states that he was also influenced by the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, as well as the Huxley novel Brave New World (“The Veldt”). In this particular…

Words 1238 - Pages 5

Technology In Ray Bradbury's 'The Veldt'

positive demeanor. However, Ray Bradbury, in his short story, “The Veldt”, challenges this prevailing notion. Bradbury tells the tragic tale of lackadaisical parents, George and Lydia Hadley, who moronically spoil their children by allowing them to have unchecked access to precocious technology, and reap the grave consequences of inadvertently disconnecting their children from actuality. It is through juxtaposition, imagery, and symbolism that Bradbury then suggests the sinister repercussions that are…

Words 170 - Pages 1

Technology In The Pedestrian By Ray Bradbury

prevent it.” Ray Bradbury was worried about the effects that technology could/ would have on families in the future. Through these stories he used so many things to get his point across about the things that technology can do. He used personification, symbolism, and word choice. He really shows his themes in all the stories, and how he feels about the use of technology. "Magazines and books didn't sell anymore. Everything went on in the tomb-like houses at night now, he thought, continuing his fancy. The…

Words 1407 - Pages 6

A Sound Of Thunder Literary Devices

tense. "No, it's a little late to be sure," he said, amused. "Nothing over there I can see but cleaned bone, and the vultures dropping for what's left." "Did you bear that scream?" she asked. 'No." "About a minute ago?" "Sorry, no." ("The Veldt") Although these quotes seem harmless enough, they are not. The "animal" that those lions are eating is George and Lydia's future selves. This is an example foreshadowing for the future feeding that is bound to happen, thanks to Peter and Wendy…

Words 1271 - Pages 6