“The Veldt,” a short story written by Ray Bradbury in 1950 depicts his awareness that mankind and its technological advances can potentially lead to an apocalyptic reality. In order to make this conclusion, one must analyze mid-twentieth century American culture and the international turmoil that derived from the Cold War in the mid-to-late twentieth century. This analysis can then be used in combination with an analysis of a number of Bradbury’s publications in order to link “The Veldt” to Bradbury’s intent. Lastly, one can also look at Bradbury’s early life and quotes made by him in order to establish a clearer perspective as to Bradbury’s intentions in regards to “The Veldt”. 

In 1947, The Cold war between Russia and the United States of America began. Two very different countries were strapped with power and might, showing as much militaristic bravado as possible. Both world super powers do extensive research on weapons and how to make them technologically superior. The Cold War proved to be not only militaristic, but also political. American culture became obsessed with making the American family live the most technologically advanced and lavish lifestyle. This desire was so strong that it caused the Americans to lose sight of their moral limits. They favored the advancement of democracy through the advancement of technology instead of the advancements of the ethics and values supported by the ideal democratic community.  Jessica Wang wrote an article stating “Americans abandon an absolute faith in the public in favor of objective, scientific, expert-directed decision making…” (324). This caused America to slowly drift away from a true democracy. And with this drift, came a decline of the moral mindset. America became only concerned with what they could achieve through technology. Rare was it to hear the question brought up as to whether or not a certain technology over-stepped moral bounds. When reading “The Veldt,” one can easily detect the hue of insensitivity within the Hadley family. This insensitivity is on highlighted display in the children, specifically. They are completely reliant on technology for their “well-being” physically, emotionally, psychologically, eliminating the most morally and emotionally invested job in America: parenting. This results in children who are very intelligent, being held up to the standards of a technologically advanced society, but who now lack the emotional tenderness of a family. This neglect results in a loss of emotional attachment between human beings. Each human being becomes gradually worthless and disposable in the eyes of his or her neighbor. This moral mindset, or lack thereof, is the root of scientific progression at the expense of communal compassion.

 The rhetoric of the family is definite and clear. They are a highly educated family, solely reliant on technology, and they rarely question the morality of the very existence of the nursery which is depicted. The fact that the Hadley family must hire a psychologist to interpret the problems they face speaks volumes about the criterion in which technology has reached. Morton White once said “The Great Society created by steam and electricity may be a society, but it is no community” (317). Ray Bradbury knew this to be a terrible truth and warned the nation about it. “The Veldt” among many other short stories and novels he wrote defined a clear intent to reveal and prevent the future that was which described. 

One such novel is Fahrenheit 451, another dystopian science-fiction, in which Bradbury depicts a world set in the far future in relation to the time it was written in 1953. The society in this universe shun the idea of a free-thinking people. Abstract thought is frowned upon and many books are outlawed and burned for progressing the idea that artistic expression and psychology are valuable areas of study. “’Fahrenheit 451’ postulates many things I didn’t want to have happen.” Bradbury’s words clearly show his intent when writing Fahrenheit 451. Another novel, The Martian Chronicles, depicts a universe in which the resources on Earth are nearly depleted and war back home eventually leads to nuclear devastation. These conditions force humans to make the journey in waves to the red planet, Mars. On Mars is a Martian civilization that is psychologically advanced but does not rely on technology to the extent of the astronauts. Eventually, this Martian civilization is completely wiped out by mankind and its desire to conquer. Although The Martian Chronicles is a fantasy, not science-fiction, it still shows the intent within Bradbury to postulate the vices that are hidden within the progression of technology. 

One short story also written by Bradbury, “August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains,” depicts a house that still stands after nuclear devastation. It continues to perform its programmed tasks endlessly for what seems to be an eternity. No other ‘lifeform’ inhabits the story except a stray, starving dog that one could say used to live there as a domestic animal. This short story postulates that technology will eventually outlive mankind. It’s debatable what Bradbury’s intent was when writing this piece, but one can guarantee that his goal was to open the eyes of the public.

All of the named publications above relate to “The Veldt” in the sense that they all seem to warn mankind about their own creation. Fahrenheit 451 depicts a dystopian society almost completely detached from morality. The Martian Chronicles depicts a world where mankind has destroyed its homeland and was on its way to destroy another. August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains depicts the aftermath of nuclear disaster, the repercussions of the blind and unhindered progression of technology. “The Veldt” shares a trait present within all of these stories. All of them depict mankind pointed in the direction of destruction. One must gauge the importance of “The Veldt” in Bradbury’s warning, for his will can be drawn from his early life as well as his moral beliefs, which can be determined from not only the stories he has written, but the things he has said.

Throughout his younger life, Ray Bradbury did not use technology for he found that communication and the simple life was… simpler. He did not own a computer, for made his publications through typewriter. He observed many things around him and made them a part of his literature:

“woman held in one hand a small cigarette-package-sized radio, its antenna quivering. From this sprang tiny copper wires which ended in a dainty cone plugged into her right ear. There she was, oblivious to man and dog…This was not fiction.”

When writing ‘fiction’ Bradbury envisioned a potential reality of our own universe, a reality that could become true if society does not heed his warnings. Bradbury used this material to help him write Fahrenheit 451, one of his most iconic stories. In 1950, color film was introduced within cinema for the first time. This gave Bradbury a strong piece of material to design his short story “The Veldt” with. One can speculate as to what Bradbury’s true intention is with his stories. This intention can be clearly drawn from quotes made by Ray Bradbury himself:

“People ask me to predict the Future, when all I want to do is prevent it. Better yet, build it”

Bradbury states his societal awareness clearly. Therefore, the purpose of a large amount of his writings are to prevent the future, thus depicting his awareness that mankind and its technology can potentially bring about its downfall.
