The Veldt Group

Question:

imthekid
imthekid
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What is the theme of The Veldt?

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Posted by imthekid on Friday November 16, 2007 at 1:53 PM and tagged with the veldt, theme.

Answers:


  1. merehughes Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    This short story is packed with themes.  So I will attempt to summarise the most important ones.  The most obvious one and I would say the most central one is man versus machine.  In the story the house takes over the role that the parents should be assuming.  This situation allows the other themes below to develop.  Another central theme is the idea of illusion versus reality.  The children are lost in the made up room - they are lost in the Veldt and no longer there unless the room is turned off and reality again reigns. However the line between illusion and reality becomes blurred in the course of the story.  

    Below are several (but not all) themes that arise out of the central themes.  

     Abandonment - the children are left alone by their parents.  The parents somewhat unknowing leave the children in the care of the room which becomes very important to them. The children see the room as a surrogate parent.

    Alienation - the characters in the story feel uneasy and each one has a feeling of not belonging in one sense or another.  The children are alienated from their parents. This leads to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

    Consumerism - Sadly George feels as if he is doing the right thing for his family by only buying the best  for them. He does not realise that his time and attention is possibly more important than the newest devices.

    Please check the enotes link below for more detailed information.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/veldt/themes

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    Posted by merehughes on Saturday November 17, 2007 at 1:16 AM

  2. rainisfalling
    rainisfalling Teacher
    Middle School

    Within the four main themes of abandonment, alienation, man vs machine, and consumerism, the student must consider the moral dilemma -  are the actions of the characters understandable? defensible?  Can you think of examples where these themes occur elsewhere in fiction?  Do you have a suggestion as to the solution of the problems which plague this family?

    Sources:
    http://www.veddma.com/veddma/Veldt.htm

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    Posted by rainisfalling on Saturday March 14, 2009 at 11:13 PM