Peter and Wendy (named after two of the characters in
Peter Pan) are the product of a generation that depends too heavily
on technology. While Bradbury often warns against the dangers of technology, "The Veldt"
is perhaps more troubling than some of the author's other works because of Peter's and
Wendy's characters. Listed below are some of their shared and different
characteristics.
1. Both children
dominate their parents. Near the story's beginning, the
children simply "televise home" to let their parents know that they will be home later
because they are at a carnival. They do not ask permission; they simply tell
their parents that they will be home later.
2.
Peter is deceitful and encourages his sister to lie. When
George asks his son about the Africa theme in the nursery, Peter unflinchingly denies
that Africa was the theme and quickly gets Wendy to side with
him.
3. Both children are more
technologically savvy than their parents are. They
demonstrate this through not only their ability to control the nursery and their access
to it but also through their skills in subtly convincing their parents that they simply
don't understand the children's generation. In fact, George especially seems "bemused"
by his children's ability to be so independent of him and
Lydia.
4. Finally, Peter and Wendy are
desensitized and virtually emotionless when it comes to
human relationships. Their parents are simply another "tool" in their lives, and because
the children feel no natural affection for their parents, they are not troubled by
destroying them. Just like changing the nursery's themes, they most likely think that
they can easily replace their parents with some other form of
technology.
No comments:
Post a Comment