"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."
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?
Select the link to access the English Essay Rubric.
Experiencing:
If I were to give advice to George and Lydia Hadley about how to become better parents, I would suggest several key changes. First and foremost, they need to set limits on their children's behavior. The Hadleys have bought into the idea that the children's room is supposed to help them work off their neuroses, but it seems clear that it is actually contributing to their problems. The children have become spoiled and disobedient, treating their parents more like offspring than authority figures. Instead of indulging their every want, the Hadleys need to establish rules and consequences for disobeying them.
Secondly, the Hadleys need to be more aware of what their children are experiencing. When they forbade Wendy and Peter from taking the rocket to New York, they failed to explain why. This has bred resentment in their children, who are now acting cool towards their parents. The Hadleys need to be more communicative with their children, explaining why certain actions are not allowed. Additionally, they should show interest in their children's lives, asking them about their interests and activities and engaging with them on a regular basis.
Finally, the Hadleys need to take action when something seems wrong. When they hear the screams and roaring lions from downstairs, they immediately realize that something is amiss. However, it seems as though this is not the first time they have heard something troubling coming from the nursery. They should have investigated the issue before, instead of waiting until something catastrophic happened. By being more proactive in addressing their children's problems, and not simply assuming that the nursery will help them work out their issues, the Hadleys can become better parents.
Overall, the Hadleys need to take a more active role in their children's lives. They cannot simply rely on technology to raise their children, nor can they assume that buying them everything they want will make them happy. By setting limits, communicating with their children, and being proactive in addressing issues when they arise, they can create a more stable and loving family dynamic.
(Text reference: "We’ve given the children everything they ever wanted...They’re spoiled and we’re spoiled." and "They’ve been acting funny ever since you forbade them to take the rocket to New York a few months ago." and "Those screams—they sound familiar.")
English Essay Rubric:
The essay effectively answers the prompt and demonstrates a clear understanding of the text. The essay is well-organized, with clear topic sentences and transitions between paragraphs. There are several text references used to support the arguments made in the essay. The language is sophisticated and appropriate for the audience. There may be some minor errors in grammar or punctuation, but they do not distract from the overall quality of the essay. The essay demonstrates an independent, thoughtful response to the prompt.
Essay Topic: Experiencing
Introduction:
In "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury, George and Lydia Hadley realize the negative consequences of indulging their children's every desire. As their children become uncontrollable and their nursery turns into a dangerous place, George and Lydia are faced with the need to become better parents. In this essay, I will provide advice to George and Lydia on how to improve their parenting skills.
Body Paragraph 1:
One piece of advice for George and Lydia Hadley is to establish clear boundaries and enforce them consistently. Throughout the passage, George reflects on their permissive parenting style, admitting that they have given their children everything they wanted. By setting limits on their children's behavior and enforcing consequences for disobedience, George and Lydia can regain control and establish their authority as parents. This will help their children understand the importance of following rules and respecting their parents' decisions.
Text reference: "They come and go when they like; they treat us as if we were offspring."
Body Paragraph 2:
Another important advice for George and Lydia is to spend quality time with their children and actively engage in their lives. In the passage, it is mentioned that the children have been cool towards their parents since they were forbidden to take the rocket to New York. By spending time together, George and Lydia can build a stronger emotional connection with their children, fostering a sense of trust and understanding between them. This will also give George and Lydia the opportunity to monitor their children's activities and address any potential issues or concerns.
Text reference: "We’ve given the children everything they ever wanted. Is this our reward—secrecy, disobedience?"
Body Paragraph 3:
Furthermore, it is essential for George and Lydia to seek professional help and guidance. George suggests calling Dave McClean to have a look at the nursery and address their concerns. Seeking the assistance of a child psychologist or family therapist can provide George and Lydia with valuable insights and strategies to deal with their children's behavior and improve their parenting skills. Professional guidance can support them in understanding the root causes of their children's actions and implementing effective strategies to address those issues.
Text reference: "I think I’ll have Dave McClean come tomorrow morning to have a look at Africa."
Conclusion:
In conclusion, George and Lydia Hadley can become better parents by establishing clear boundaries, spending quality time with their children, and seeking professional help. By implementing these strategies, they can regain control over their children's behavior, strengthen their bond as a family, and create a more nurturing and supportive environment. It is essential for them to recognize the negative consequences of their permissive parenting and take proactive steps towards becoming better parents.