Compare and Contrast the Writers use of Science Fiction Essay Example
Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" and H.G. Wells' "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" are both science fiction stories that convey moral lessons. Bradbury's story explores the theme of man's exploitation of technology, while Wells' story portrays the theme of man's ignorance and failure to understand the power of a gift. Despite the similarities in their moral messages, the stories differ in their presentation due to the time period they were written in. "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" was written during the optimistic era of the late nineteenth century, characterized by great advancements in technology and wealth. Consequently, the moral of the story is a warning against abusing the power of a gift.
Written in 1952 after World War Two, The Sound of Thunder reflects the moral lesson of not abusing technology, which is emphasized by the devastating e
...ffects of the Atomic Bomb at the end of the war. Ray Bradbury presents Eckels as a foolish, irresponsible, and selfish character, representing the negative traits commonly found in humans. This portrayal conveys the moral message that anyone could potentially fall into such behavior. On the other hand, Travis, being knowledgeable in the science of the time machine, acts responsibly and serves as a forewarning to which Eckels chooses to ignore.
The contrasting nature of these two characters serves as a theme of good versus evil, a common element in science fiction. The story concludes in typical science fiction fashion with the victory of good over evil - Travis shooting Eckels to hold him accountable for the harm caused. Through the portrayal of Eckels' stereotypical character, readers are encouraged to avoid similar behavior. Travis' character functions a
a retributive force, possibly reflecting the author's own emotions and moral values. In his fable, H. G. Wells utilizes the character of Mr. Fothringay to effectively convey his message.
At first, he is described as a man with devilish features. His erect red hair and twisted-up mustache give the reader a sense of impending danger. However, it is later revealed that Fotheringay is addicted to assertive argument, similar to Eckels' addiction to hunting. It is through this addiction that he discovers his gift. Despite possessing the gift, he remains ignorant of its true power. He still asks for a match to light a candle, even though his gift is capable of lighting the candle on its own.
Fotheringay seeks Maydig's advice, but realizes the extent of Maydig's power and how he takes advantage of Fotheringay for personal gain. There is a similar theme of good versus evil, as Fotheringay is ignorant and distrustful of Maydig, similar to the plot of "The Sound Of Thunder". Both stories convey a moral about the consequences of pursuing one's ambitions, reflecting the fable-like style. The narratives are both presented in third person perspective.
The story's moral and the author's emotions are conveyed by Ray Bradbury through the characters' speeches and actions/reactions. He effectively expresses the potential dangers of time travel with the statement "we don't belong here in the past." In contrast, Wells relies on authorial voice, using the phrase "It was evident..." to present his own opinions. Personally, I find Bradbury's approach of using character dialogue to convey the moral more impactful and effective. It allows readers to analyze the story without direct author intervention, thereby adding deeper meaning to the
moral message.
Both writers employ godlike imagery and metaphors in their stories. In A Sound of Thunder, the title is referenced at crucial moments, conveying a godlike imagery of the fearsome T-Rex and the retribution faced by Eckels. Similarly, in Wells' story, godlike phrases such as "Let me be in bed" are utilized, playing on the biblical phrase "let there be light" and highlighting Fotheringay's godlike nature. These instances connect back to the overarching theme of godlike ambiguity present in both narratives.
The use of God as a motif adds great impact and significance to the story, enhancing its science fiction moral. Ray Bradbury meticulously portrays the T-Rex with its powerful claws, sharp teeth, and sinister grin, symbolizing its pivotal role in the plot - Eckels' moment of weakness. Furthermore, Wells employs melodrama and ambiguity when questioning whether the creature's abilities were natural, creating a sense of sci-fi intrigue surrounding the enigma of the unknown.
The Man Who Could Work Miracles utilizes direct links to religion by highlighting maydig's lack of trust and the misuse of divine miracles. The emergence of Darwinism in the 1850s prompted writers to take a more analytical approach towards religion, which is also evident in this story. Both narratives convey the philosophical concept that time is an unstoppable force and should be treated with great care. Ray Bradbury emphasizes this idea by presenting the time machine as a potentially catastrophic weapon, possessing equivalent power to an A-Bomb.
The power of the time machine is demonstrated in determining the war's outcome. The shift from President Keith to Deutscher, a German leader with resemblances to Hitler, serves as a satirical representation of a victorious Hitler. This
connection aligns with the period in which the story was written after the war. Similarly, Wells conveys a moral message through the theme of time as an uncontrollable force. Fotheringay's attempt to halt the earth's movement leads to catastrophic consequences. These stories both illustrate the potential dangers of power, whether it is a gift or technology, when used devoid of responsibility and consideration.
Ray Bradbury and Wells both incorporate science fiction elements in their narratives. Bradbury utilizes the theme of good versus evil, an adventurous plot, and the scientific concept of evolution and time reversal to establish a solid foundation for his moral tale. Similarly, Wells employs an adventurous storyline and scientific data, albeit more hypothetical, to introduce his own story. The likelihood of everyone flying at nine miles per second if the world stopped spinning is as improbable as humans inventing time travel solely for the purpose of hunting dinosaurs.
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