4.6 Lesson Theme

In every well told story there is a grand design.

Every scene, every line has a purpose. This constant, guideline or roadmap is a strong theme. You may need to read a story several times to find for the message to stand out to you.

In the short stories “A Hero’s Welcome” and “The Veldt” you will find the setting, conversations, and conflict develop an idea about an individual’s relationship with one’s father.

Abandoned

Thomas in “A Hero’s Welcome” and Peter and Wendy in “The Veldt” are abandoned in some way by their fathers.

In “A Hero’s Welcome” the father goes to war for four years and returns home. When the stranger attempts to exert authority, his eldest son feels initially resents him. The family must rebuild trust and restore their relationships to build for the future. All are surprised by what they learn about each other.

In “The Veldt”, author Ray Bradbury, born in 1920, thought beyond online dating, digital schools, and Facebook friendships to imagine a world where technology replaces parents. Peter and Wendy are brought up by a digital nursery. When the father attempts to end his family’s addiction to technology and rebuild relationships in person, he is thwarted by his children, and their home is destroyed.