How Is Technology Used In A Sound Of Thunder

As curious creatures, we are always determined to fulfill our fascination. This inner drive pushes us to disregard boundaries, allowing us to make discoveries. However, sometimes we push the limitations and get entangled with things we shouldn’t be. In the short story, A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury, we are introduced to the character, Eckles, who is offered an opportunity to travel back in time. However, there is a rule he must obey, he must remain on the path to prevent the disruption of natural order. Throughout the story, we are introduced to the idea of humans’ involvement in natural processes using technology. From the significance of the rules, the idea that humans don’t belong in the past, and the butterfly effect, we see the dangers

I repeat. Don’t go off the road. For any reason, I'm not. If you fall off, there’s a penalty”’(Bradbury, 3). This introduces the idea that humans do not belong to the past despite having the technology to do so. This means their actions have major consequences when they disrupt the past. In addition, mother nature’s results are significant. After they shoot the animal they desire, they can’t take any part of it back to the present. Travis explains that “The body has to stay right here where it would have died originally, so the insects, birds, and bacteria can get at it, as they were intended to” (Bradbury, 10). This highlights the idea that they cannot make any changes to the world of the past. It shows that even one difference can affect the numerous organisms that rely on it for their survival. However, it also shows the sarcasm of traveling back in time. People are journeying back to the past to kill extinct animals for their entertainment, rather than using this advanced technology to change past tragedies. The belief that humans don’t belong in the past is illustrated through the difficulty of running Time Safari. While they can resume their business, there are strict regulations they have to

This shows that even the government knows the detrimental destruction this device could cause. The sole reason they are allowed to run the Time Safari is because of money. The danger of tampering with the past is established. The government's disapproval of this technology is conveyed even further. Since the Time Machine is a “finicky business,” the government is worried that they “‘might kill an important animal, a small bird, a roach, a flower, destroying an important link in a growing species”’ (Bradbury, 3). This shows the influence that they could have by manipulating technology to disrupt the past. This means the government doesn’t entrust humans to adhere to the rules. They are still apprehensive that they might kill an impactful animal that will change history. The effects highlight the many scenarios that could happen if one part of the past were to change. It shows the significance of humans remaining where they belong, in the present. This chain reaction, known as the butterfly effect, solidifies the idea that natural order must flow without human intervention. This idea was first introduced through the interaction between Eckels and