Emma Macchabee

301388304
09/28/21

Assignments for “The Veldt”

Written in 1950, “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury is a short story that tells a compelling
futuristic tale of the potential eerie dangers of technological advancements. The story follows the
Hadleys who live in the Happylife Home, a completely automated house. The children, Peter and
Wendy, become immersed in their virtual reality nursery room that causes them to live within
any scenario they wish. The parents soon become worried as their children’s fantasies grow
violent.

In 2012, this short story was adapted into a song and music video by deadmau5 and Chris
James. The video reflects the dark mood of the story. Feel free to watch the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvtNS6hbVy4

Assignment for Sensing Students:

Please read “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury then complete the following questions.

Activity #1 - Multiple Choice Questions

1. How much did the Happylife Home cost?

a) $10,000
b) $70,000
c) $30,000
d) $50,000

2. Who is David McClean?

a) A psychologist
b) A relative
c) A doctor
d) A nanny

3. This story is set in a future technology-driven society. What technological advancement does
the author suggest is the most dangerous?
a) Automatic, motion-detecting lights
b) House that rocks you to sleep, feeds, and dresses you
c) Rockets that take you anywhere you want
d) Virtual reality room that makes your thoughts and wishes come to life
4. What presumably happened to George and Lydia at the end of the story?
a) They got lost in the nursery
b) They went on a family vacation
c) They were eaten by the lions
d) They locked up the nursery for good

5. “The house is wife and mother now, and nursemaid” (Bradbury, 1951, p.8).
is an example of a ____.
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
c) Alliteration
d) Personification

Activity #2 - Short Answer Questions (paragraph format)

Find a quote in the text that is an example of foreshadowing. Write it down below and describe
what the quote is foreshadowing. (approx 50 words)

Describe the setting of the nursery using details from the story. What world have Peter and
Wendy brought to life? (approx 50-100 words)

Near the end of the story, George and Lydia suggest a “vacation” from technology. Discuss with
a group of 3-4, why do the parents want a vacation and do you think that a break could solve
their problems? Then, individually write a short response summarizing your thoughts on these
questions and the influence of technology on the characters. (approx 150-200 words)

Assignment for Intuitive Students:

Please read “The Veldt,” by Ray Bradbury, then choose one of the following prompts to write
an essay response on (approx 5 paragraphs, 500 words). Make sure to be detailed and descriptive
in your response and don’t just summarize the story’s plot. For the first two options, focus on
analysis, evidence, and creative new ideas. For the last option, write in a narrative style using lots
of imagery to add to the short story. Please brainstorm your ideas first on a separate page
before writing your responses and attach this to your final submission. Overall, be inventive and
let your creative juices flow!

1. This story is written from the parent’s perspective. What would it look like if it was
written from Wendy and Peter’s perspective? Describe scenes from the story or create
additional ones that can explain Wendy and Peter’s actions. Dive into the world of the
children with your response.
 2. Bradbury shows through this story that technological advancements can have harmful
effects on humans. What effect does technology have on the various characters in the
novel? How does it affect the children? The parents? Hint: think of both mental and
physical effects.

3. Write an alternate ending to this story by telling what happens when the parents never
meet David McClean and the children for their vacation. Use lots of imagery and
incorporate the technology theme into your response. Make sure to also connect to the
rest of the story that happened before.

Works Cited

Bradbury, R. (1951). The veldt. In The Illustrated Man (p.6-18). New York: Doubleday &
Company