Compare and contrast the ways these "A Sound of Thunder" and "Nethergrave" impacted the real world for the characters.
Both "A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury and "Nethergrave" by Gloria Skurzynski present stories where characters are transported to different worlds or time periods, which subsequently impact their real lives. However, the ways in which these impacts occur are quite contrasting.
In "A Sound of Thunder," the character Eckels travels back in time to hunt dinosaurs but unknowingly alters the future when he steps off the designated path and kills a butterfly. This seemingly insignificant action causes a ripple effect, with changes gradually manifesting in the future. As Eckels returns to his present, he realizes that even the smallest changes in the past can have dramatic consequences. The impact on Eckels, in the real world, is severe as he witnesses the changes firsthand. He sees that the language, politics, and society have all shifted, with a fascist regime in power. In this dystopian future, Eckels is hunted down and killed for his butterfly-related disruption. Thus, the impact on his real world is disastrous, showing how the smallest actions can alter the course of history.
On the other hand, "Nethergrave" tells the story of Jeremy, a teenager who escapes his lonely reality by immersing himself in an online virtual world called Nethergrave. In this realm, Jeremy forms connections with other players and finds a sense of purpose. However, when he is transported to Nethergrave physically, he realizes the world he once admired is actually a desolate wasteland with no real substance. The impact on his real world is not as drastic as in "A Sound of Thunder," but it is still transformative. Jeremy gains a newfound perspective on his real life, acknowledging the importance of human interactions and appreciating the tangible experiences.
In summary, while both "A Sound of Thunder" and "Nethergrave" explore the impacts of alternate worlds on the characters' real lives, the outcomes and consequences greatly differ. "A Sound of Thunder" emphasizes the potential catastrophes that can occur when tampering with the past, leading to a dystopian reality for Eckels. In contrast, "Nethergrave" highlights the dangers of escaping reality through virtual worlds and emphasizes the significance of genuine connections in one's real life.