The Veldt by Ray Bradbury Analysis Essay

In the short story “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury, when individuals focus on pleasing others materialistically rather than through genuine connections, others may show interest in the items given instead of forming stronger bonds with each other. After George and Lydia get scared out of the nursery by the lions, Lydia suggests locking the nursery for a few days. Still, George counters, stating “how difficult Peter is about [closing the nursery]” even bringing up “when [he] punished [Peter] a month ago by locking the nursery for even a few hours” Peter threw an intense tantrum, his wife adding that “They live for the nursery” (Bradbury 4). When Lydia suggests locking the nursery for a few days, George backlashes, bringing up the last time they tried to close it when Peter and Wendy, their children, both had a horrible temper tantrum. The children’s terrible behavior suggests that they are dependent upon it, maybe even to the severity of an addiction. George’s wife stating that the children live in the nursery also backs up this idea that they are addicted. The children are fascinated by the nursery when their parents feel left out because they can’t offer the same satisfaction and joy. The addiction that Peter and Wendy demonstrate indicates that the children are more fixated and interested in interacting with the nursery than their actual parents. The children interacting with the nursery more than their natural parents destroy their relationship with their children. When they try to recover it by turning off the thing that is ruining their lives, they are only met with displeasure by their children. The dissatisfaction from the children creates a negative relationship between the parents and the children. Stemming from this, the children’s hatred of their parents starts from the nursery, and consequently, George purchasing the nursery in the first place. After the meeting with David McClean, George takes his advice and turns off the nursery, much to the demise of his wife and two children. Once the nursery was shut off, the “two children were in hysterics,” leading Lydia to tell George to “turn on the nursery.” George stands firm even though Peter says to the nursery “[to not] let Father kill everything” and turns to his father and saying “I hate you.” After Lydia pleads to George a final time, he reluctantly turns it back on, for “just a moment” as they get ready for their vacation (Bradbury 11). Lydia and George succumbing to their children's demands demonstrate their need to please their children and that the children are ultimately in control. In addition, the addiction to the nursery that Peter displays earlier in the story arises again, with Peter even telling his father that he hates him after he threatens to turn off the nursery, confirming the idea that Peter values the nursery more than his father. The children’s addiction to the nursery, which is demonstrated by throwing a temper tantrum, strengthens the idea that they are more interested in the nursery than their own parents. George tried to please his children by purchasing them the nursery, but instead of forming a stronger bond with each other, the children ended up drifting away, affecting the relationship between the children and the parents negatively. Although pleasing others through materialistic ways can help positively impact relationships, individuals who focus more on the latter instead of genuine connections emotionally often have their relationships affected negatively. For example, rich people often report feeling empty and sad because they can buy whatever they want whenever they want. Still, on the opposite spectrum, when poor people purchase items as a gift, it can often mean the world to others. What matters behind an item isn’t the price tag or how expensive it is. What matters is how individuals can use something to impact their relationship in a positive manner.