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“A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury

“A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury. Background Information “ Who controls the past controls the future”- Orwell “You don ’ t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them”- Bradbury. Ray Bradbury- author.

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“A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury

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  1. “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury Background Information “Who controls the past controls the future”- Orwell “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them”- Bradbury

  2. Ray Bradbury- author • known as one of America’s greatest science-fiction writers of the 20th century • August 20, 1920-June 5,2012 (92 yrs.) • obituary states “the writer most responsible for bringing modern science fiction into the mainstream” • from Waukegan, Illinois; family moves to L.A. in 1934 • knew at early age he wanted to pursue “the arts” • Horror/Mystery influence- Poe; tried to imitate Poe’s writing style • Science-Fiction influences- H.G. Wells (A War of the Worlds, The Time Machine) & Jules Verne (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in Eighty Days)

  3. Ray Bradbury- author • has written over 500 published works (short stories, novels, television screenplays, etc.) • famous novels- The Martian Chronicles (1950), Fahrenheit 451 (1953), Dandelion Wine (1957) , Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962) • writing style/voice- known for his vivid imagery & imagination • Ray Bradbury Theater (1986-1992)- Bradbury able to produce televised versions of his stories

  4. Interesting Facts About Bradbury • did not consider himself a science-fiction writer- but a fantasy writer • wrote every day, but never went to college • took him 55 yrs. to write one of his novels • skeptic of technology (internet) & did not own a computer/TV • never learned to drive a car • best friends with Gene Rodenberry (creator of Star Trek)

  5. *Steven Spielberg stated that “Bradbury was his muse for the science-fiction part of his career… In the world of science-fiction and fantasy writers he is immortal”. *Steven King stated that “The sound I hear today is the thunder of a giants footsteps fading away, but his stories will remain forever”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwgKRiEJsR0

  6. Science-Fiction Genre • fictional writing based on scientific principles & technology(space travel, paranormal, parallel universes, aliens, etc. ) and its impact on the world • earliest science-fiction story- written around 100 B.C. (2nd century) about a journey to outer space and intergalactic warfare • different from fantasy due its scientific elements • Famous sci-fi writers: H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov (I,Robot) Characteristics • often warns of the potential for disaster calling for change in society • often makes predictions about future life • deals with life in other worlds (human & non-human)

  7. “A Sound of Thunder” • first published in magazine in 1952 • Known as one of the most republished science-fictions stories • Based on scientific theory called The Butterfly Effect or The Chaos Theory

  8. Literary Elements • Symbols- Butterfly= change or metamorphosis Thunder= T-REX walking; sound of gun shooting • Foreshadowing- “stay on the path” • Imagery- T-REX description before & after death • Allusions- Biblical- Adam, Moses, J.C. Historical- Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, Hitler

  9. Butterfly Effect/ Chaos Theory • Scientific theory describing how small changes to something can truly affect it in a larger and complex way • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivg7QarDJh4&feature=related

  10. Paradox • a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth. Examples: • To be free we have to have laws that restrict our freedom. • You own your car, but your car really owns you. • Being born is really a beginning to an end. • Mozambique is a rich country of poor people. ** What is the paradox in the story?

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