Transcript A Sound of Thunder

Literary Analysis &
Close Reading Assignment
The Butterfly Effect
Did you know that each of these
shows and /or movies has been
influenced by Bradbury’s story “A
Sound of Thunder,” the story we are
now reading in class?
The Butterfly Effect
The phrase refers to the idea that a
butterfly's wings might create tiny
changes in the atmosphere that may
ultimately alter the path of a
tornado or delay, accelerate or even
prevent the occurrence of a tornado
in another location. The flapping
wing represents a small change in
the initial condition of the system,
which causes a chain of events
leading to large-scale alterations of
events. Had the butterfly not
flapped its wings, the trajectory of
the system might have been vastly
different.
The Butterfly Effect
To understand the concept, let’s first
start with something we already know,
like the domino effect.
1) As the world runs out of oil, gas
prices will rise.
2) When this happens, prices for
specialized items of import and
export (coffee) will eventually rise.
3) Food prices will then rise.
4) The price of products that require oil
to make them will also rise.
The “Butterfly Effect” is similar, except
that we cannot see what causes what.
We know that small things can effect
entire systems.
Literary Device Review
Objectives: Students will practice identifying and critiquing literary
elements in “A Sound of Thunder.”
Requirements:
While reading, document multiple examples of literary devices. For each
literary device identified, explain in a sentence or two why you think it is
effective /good writing.
1. Imagery –(sights, sounds, smells, tastes, & feelings)
2. Simile –- A comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.”
Ex. “Juliet is like a jewel.”
3. Metaphor – – A comparison of two unalike things not using “like” or “as.”
Ex. “Juliet is the sun.”
4. Onomatopoeia –– When words sound like what they mean.
Ex. Boom! Pow! Zoom! Clank!
5. Personification – Giving human characteristics to something not human.
Ex. The wind screamed through the forest of trees and whipped the leaves
off of their branches.
Elements of Style:
Very Important!
Bradbury is extremely proud
(and with good cause) of his
description of the T-Rex.
About this section Bradbury
has stated, “I say to the
audience ‘I’m going to stop
you here okay?...and you
know what I’m going to do?
I’m going to describe a
dinosaur as it has never been
described. Now watch this.’
And then I sit down and write
a prose poem about this
wonderful creature that comes
gliding out the jungle.”
What effect do the literary devices
have on the reader? How do they
give us insight as to what the
narrator would be feeling?
Critical Thinking
What is the purpose of the antigravity path?
How then are they allowed to hunt if they can’t step on the grass? If
they do not want to kill a mouse, then why a TREX? Isn’t this also
problematic?
What does the theme of this story seem to be so far? Make some
predictions as to what might happen.
How serious of a problem is it that Eckels jumps off the path? Why
does he do it?
In what rather grotesque detail does the author describe the final
moments of the beast? Is this good writing? Why or why not?
Why is Travis angry at Eckles? Is this thematic?
The Butterfly Effect &
“A Sound of Thunder”
The idea that one butterfly could eventually have a far-reaching ripple
effect on subsequent historic events seems first to have appeared in “A
Sound of Thunder,” a 1952 short story by Ray Bradbury about time
travel.
The “Butterfly Effect” is now a common clichéd plot device; however,
Bradbury was the first to use the idea in fiction.
Special Note:
In German the name (Deutscher) means “German.” This story was
written right after WWII when Hitler’s Germany was considered the
ultimate example of evil, not only because of the holocaust, but in a
political sense because they were so different from us. They had long
had a dictatorship while we have had a democracy.
The Grand Finale
Tyme SefarI Inc.
Sefaris tu any yeer en the past.
Yu naim the animall.
Wee taektuthair.
Yu shoot it.
The story concludes with an eerie,
twilight zone type of ending, not
only for Eckles, but also for the
reader.
How does Bradbury use his theme
to shock his reader in the end of
this story?
Complete a plot diagram for this story.
Climax
most exciting/suspenseful moment
Complications
new problems arise
Basic Situation/Exposition
conflict is introduced
Falling Action
Winding down
Resolution
problems are
resolved
Write a paragraph about “A Sound of Thunder” using the “Somebody Wants However Therefore” model.
Example:
Somebody
Wants
wants to
learn about
his parents,
Harry Potter
be happy,
and make
friends.
However
Therefore
However, he
must
protect
himself from
the dangers
he faces at
Hogwarts.
Therefore, he learns
how to use his powers
for good and to protect
himself and his friends.
Somebody
wants
However,
Therefore,
Somebody
“A Sound of Thunder”
Eckles
or
Travis
(pick one)
= who - the individual or character
= what
= complications, problems, or conflict
= solution, outcome, or resolution
Wants
However
Therefore