"I don’t know anything," he said, "except that I’m beginning to be sorry we bought that room for the children. If children are neurotic at all, a room like that—"
"It’s supposed to help them work off their neuroses in a healthful way."
"I’m starting to wonder." He stared at the ceiling.
"We’ve given the children everything they ever wanted. Is this our reward—secrecy, disobedience?"
"Who was it who said, ‘Children are carpets, they should be stepped on occasionally’? We’ve never lifted a hand. They’re insufferable—let’s admit it. They come and go when they like; they treat us as if we were offspring. They’re spoiled and we’re spoiled."
"They’ve been acting funny ever since you forbade them to take the rocket to New York a few months ago."
"They’re not old enough to do that alone, I explained."
"Nevertheless, I’ve noticed they’ve been decidedly cool toward us since."
"I think I’ll have Dave McClean come tomorrow morning to have a look at Africa."
"But it’s not Africa now, it’s Green Mansions country and Rima."
"I have a feeling it’ll be Africa again before then."
A moment later they heard the screams.
Two screams. Two people screaming from downstairs. And then a roar of lions.
"Wendy and Peter aren’t in their rooms," said his wife.
He lay in his bed with his beating heart. "No," he said. "They’ve broken into the nursery."
"Those screams—they sound familiar."
"Do they?"
"Yes, awfully."
Question
Choose one of the three essay topics below. Respond in a multi-paragraph essay. Use text references to support your answer.
Experiencing: Carefully reread the passage from "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury, and write an essay explaining what advice you would give George and Lydia Hadley on how to become better parents.
Interpreting: Carefully reread the passage. Write an essay describing the tone Bradbury sets and analyzing how he creates that particular mood.
Evaluating: The passage above is almost entirely made up of dialogue, as is much of the story it comes from. Choose another story from the Post War Voices Emerge unit that contains extensive dialogue, and write an essay comparing and contrasting the role of dialogue in the two stories. Which author do you think uses dialogue more effectively?
In the passage from "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury, George and Lydia Hadley are faced with the realization that their children are acting out in disturbing ways. As I read this passage, I can't help but feel sorry for the parents who seem to be at a loss on how to handle their children's behavior. If I were to give them advice on how to become better parents, I would suggest that they establish clearer boundaries and consequences for their children's actions. It is evident that the children are spoiled and have been given everything they want, which has led to a sense of entitlement and disrespect towards their parents. By setting clear rules and enforcing them consistently, George and Lydia can teach their children the importance of respect and responsibility.
Additionally, I would advise George and Lydia to communicate openly with their children and encourage them to express their feelings in a healthy way. It is clear that the children are acting out due to some underlying issues, possibly stemming from the parents' overindulgence and lack of discipline. By creating a safe and open environment for their children to discuss their emotions, George and Lydia can address any underlying concerns and work towards resolving them together as a family.
Furthermore, I would suggest that George and Lydia seek professional help, such as talking to a child psychologist or family therapist, to better understand and address their children's behavior. It is clear that the situation is escalating and becoming dangerous, as evidenced by the screams and sounds of lions coming from the nursery. Seeking outside help can provide the parents with valuable insights and strategies to improve their parenting skills and create a healthier and more stable family dynamic.
Overall, my advice to George and Lydia Hadley would be to establish clear boundaries, encourage open communication, and seek professional help to address their children's concerning behavior. By taking proactive steps towards becoming better parents, they can create a more positive and nurturing environment for their children to thrive in.