The Veldt
The Veldt Critique In the ultramodern interpretation of The Veldt, by Ray Bradbury, science fiction portrays a very genuine interpretation of the direction humanity is going in with relation to the complexities of technology. The short story begins in a futuristic setting in which a smart home takes care of the needs of a family until they become dependent upon it. Within this home, a very large dimensional nursery was built for the children which has a three dimensional capability to portray any mental combination they think of by reading thought waves through advanced mechanical technology. The mother and father notice that a repetitive scenery within the nursery of an African veldt land has a more sinister rationale imposed upon it by the children that evidently leads to their demise. One of the main elements of the story is the characters. The father, George, fit his role perfectly as an individual who appeals to the common interests of his wife and children, seemingly wanting them to remain content with his actions. Lydia, the wife, plays a very anxious character overcome with emotions, which helped set the tone. One portrayal of this would be the passage where she proclaims “That’s just it. I feel like I don’t belong here. The house is wife and mother now, and nursemaid. Can I compete with an African Veldt?” expressing her consistent feelings of incompetence and inadequacy as a wife and mother. Peter, the son, is very smart for a child. George described this best in saying “He’s a wise one for ten. That I.Q of his-“. There is no doubt that his savvy, neurotic intellect was behind the veldt land in the nursery, and the events that followed. The daughter, Wendy, seemed innocent enough although the feeling of her being enabled by Peter, her brother, does come off as alarming as she seemed to be scheming right along with him as to what was to happen with their parents. She has been extremely desensitized by the nursery and the Happylife Home, as she does