In Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" and Gloria Skurzynski's "Nethergrave," both authors tour conceptions of time travel and its consequences. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that "A Sound of Thunder" is the superior of the two texts due to its well-developed characters, complex plot, and effective writing style. One reason for this is the deeper level of character development present in "A Sound of Thunder." The protagonist, Eckels, is depicted as a, nervous, indecisive, brave, curious and courageous beyond measure, but he is far from admirable because his of his selfish and impulsive ways, who's fear of the unknown leads him to make a fateful mistake. This internal conflict adds layers to his character and makes him more relatable to the reader. In contrast, the protagonist of "Nethergrave," Jeremy, is not as fully fleshed out, and his motivations and emotions are not as clearly defined. Additionally, the plot of "A Sound of Thunder" is more complex and engaging. The idea of a butterfly's wings causing a ripple effect on the present is a clever and thought-provoking concept. This concept is exemplified through dialog, such as when the character Travis says, "A little butterfly can create a tornado. The flutter of your heart can …show more content…
(For example, the repeated use of the phrase "a sound of thunder" serves as a foreboding omen of events to come. This repetition adds to the overall atmosphere of the story and helps to build suspense. In contrast, the writing in "Nethergrave" is less impactful and fails to fully immerse the reader in the story. Both "A Sound of Thunder" and "Nethergrave" deal with themes of the consequences of tampering with the past and the power of choice. However, "A Sound of Thunder" delves deeper into these themes through the development of its characters and plot, making it the stronger of the two