"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

"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.

Answer 1

In the passage from "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury, George and Lydia Hadley are shown to be struggling with parenting their children, Wendy and Peter. The couple is beginning to regret buying a room that allows the children to live out their fantasies, as the children have become secretive and disobedient. The parents are concerned about their behavior and the impact it is having on their family dynamic.

If I were to give advice to George and Lydia on how to become better parents, I would suggest that they establish clear boundaries and rules for their children. It is important for children to have structure and guidelines to follow in order to develop a sense of responsibility and respect. By setting clear expectations and consequences for their actions, George and Lydia can help their children understand the importance of obedience and respect.

Additionally, I would advise George and Lydia to communicate openly and regularly with their children. It is crucial for parents to listen to their children's thoughts and feelings in order to understand their perspective and address any underlying issues. By fostering a strong and healthy relationship based on communication and trust, George and Lydia can create a supportive environment for their children to thrive in.

Furthermore, I would recommend that George and Lydia seek professional help or counseling if they continue to struggle with parenting their children. Parenting is a challenging and complex task, and it is okay to seek guidance and support to navigate through difficult situations. A professional therapist or counselor can provide valuable insights and techniques to help improve the family dynamic and address any underlying issues that may be contributing to the children's behavior.

Overall, by establishing clear boundaries, communicating openly, and seeking professional help if needed, George and Lydia can become better parents and create a more nurturing and supportive environment for their children. It is important for parents to actively work on improving their parenting skills and prioritize their children's well-being and happiness.