The Veldt Theme

Words: 548
Pages: 3

Ray Bradbury writes, “Before they had a Santa Claus now they have a Scrooge. Children prefer Santa.” (6). Peter and Wendy live in a home where everything is done for them. Their parents, George and Lydia, have never denied them anything. The nursery, a room that caught “telepathic emanations” and projected the thoughts on the walls (3). It is supposed to help control the kids feelings, instead they use the room against their parents when one thing does not go their way. The theme of the short story, “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury, is spoiling children can lead to overpowerment.
In the short story, Wendy and Peter are not only extremely spoiled by their parents, but their house as well. The house is made up of machines. George tells his
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When their parents decide to shut it off, they throw fits and refuse to leave for the vacation. Wendy and Peter, “screamed and pranced and threw things. They yelled and sobbed and swore and jumped at the furniture” (7). Wendy and Peter feel as if they live off the nursery, they do not care that it could be putting their family in peril. They refuse to listen to any explanation. George and Lydia can not stand seeing their children upset so they give in once again. After shutting off the nursery, Lydia exclaims, “Turn on the nursery, just for a few moments. You can't be so abrupt” (7). Wendy and Peter win again. Their parents believe the cries and do not know how to stand by their word. Even when the parents are certain that the nursery should be shut down, they have to give in one more time because they can not stand to see their children cry.
The children’s nursery takes over the control of the parents. Never letting their children down, the parents decided the nursery should be shut down. Wendy and Peter found it the most amazing thing invented. After constant screaming, George and Lydia give in. Wendy and Peter take over their control. No child wants to be told something they do not want to hear. When the child is told that sometimes life can act as Scrooge, it teaches them that there can not always be a