Little Things
Make a Big Difference in A Sound of Thunder
If life is like a scale, then Ray Bradburys short story A
Sound of Thunder illustrates how easily this scale can be tipped.
A Sound of Thunder is an intriguing short story about time travel
and its potential to distort the intricate balance of life. The
story begins in the year 2055 when a group of five men, consisting
of three hunters and two Time Safari guides travel sixty six
million years back in time to hunt what they consider the most
amazing monster in history: Tyrannosaurus Rex. Although the men
succeed in killing their game, one hunter named Eckels panics at
the sight of the monster and steps off the levitating metal path
intended to separate the men from the ancient
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In A Sound of
Thunder, the two presidents symbolize two different approaches to
government. Keith represents a fair democracy while Deutscher
symbolizes a harsh dictatorship. Before the group departs on their
journey back in time, Bradbury expresses the characters opinions
of the two presidential candidates, Thank God Keith won. Hell
make a fine president of the United States
If Deutscher had gotten
in, wed have the worst kind of government. Theres a man for war
but against everything else; against religion, against helping
people, and against people knowing too much. Here, the author
contrasts the two different candidates, describing Keith as a
reasonable president and Deutscher as a tyrant. Furthermore, the
reader can infer that when the group returns to 2055, citizens and
the electorate who voted for Deutscher are not informed of his
totalitarian platform because the current governments has prevented
people from knowing too much. Thus, the magnitude of change
resulting from Eckels stepping off the path, is symbolized by the
two different presidents and the citizens voted for them. Upon a
deeper analysis of the text, the reader realizes that Bradburys
symbolism does not stop
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The author uses
symbolism to have Keith represent democracy and Deutscher represent
dictatorship as well as an ignorant electorate unable to recognize
Deutschers true nature. This contrast helps the reader understand
how much the world changes after Eckels steps off the path and
kills the butterfly. Understanding the political context that
influenced Bradburys writing provides an even deeper understanding
of the symbolism he used. Bradbury utilized the post war context to
ensure his reader would empathize with the characters when they
return to world being ruled by a man symbolizing Hitler. By
empathizing with the characters, the reader is able to connect with
the story and understand how even a seemingly insignificant action
can influence the future. To make such an interesting plot
possible, Bradbury uses
science
fictionas a vehicle to combine his symbolism and political
references into an entertaining story that keeps the reader engaged
with the
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