Review the following stories “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury
Analysis – Explain how the quote
proves the conflict and the type of
conflict used.
In "A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury, the conflict arises when the main characters go back in time to the prehistoric era and accidentally disrupt the natural order of things. One quote that exemplifies this conflict and its type is: "Eckels mind whirled. It couldn't change things. Killing one butterfly couldn't be that important! Could it?"
This quote reveals the internal conflict experienced by Eckels, one of the main characters. He initially believes that stepping on and killing a single butterfly would have no significant impact on the future. This internal conflict is a perfect example of a man versus self conflict. Eckels is torn between his curiosity and desire to experience the thrill of hunting dinosaurs and the realization that his actions may lead to catastrophic consequences in the future.
Furthermore, this quote also indirectly portrays the external conflict in the story, which is man versus nature. The disruption caused by stepping on the butterfly triggers a chain reaction that alters the course of evolution, resulting in a drastically different present. The conflict between mankind's ability to manipulate time and nature's unstoppable force is at the core of the story.
Overall, this quote demonstrates both the internal conflict faced by Eckels and the external conflict between humanity and the natural order of things. It highlights the moral dilemma and the consequences that arise when humans tamper with the balance of nature, making "A Sound of Thunder" a gripping and thought-provoking tale.