Literary Analysis Close Reading Assignment The Butterfly Effect

Literary Analysis & Close Reading Assignment

The Butterfly Effect Did you know that each of these shows and /or movies has been influenced by Bradbury’s story “A Sound of Thunder, ” the story we are now reading in class?

The Butterfly Effect The phrase refers to the idea that a butterfly's wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimately alter the path of a tornado or delay, accelerate or even prevent the occurrence of a tornado in another location. The flapping wing represents a small change in the initial condition of the system, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events. Had the butterfly not flapped its wings, the trajectory of the system might have been vastly different.

The Butterfly Effect To understand the concept, let’s first start with something we already know, like the domino effect. 1) As the world runs out of oil, gas prices will rise. 2) When this happens, prices for specialized items of import and export (coffee) will eventually rise. 3) Food prices will then rise. 4) The price of products that require oil to make them will also rise. The “Butterfly Effect” is similar, except that we cannot see what causes what. We know that small things can effect entire systems.

Literary Device Review Objectives: Students will practice identifying and critiquing literary elements in “A Sound of Thunder. ” Requirements: While reading, document multiple examples of literary devices. For each literary device identified, explain in a sentence or two why you think it is effective /good writing. 1. Imagery –(sights, sounds, smells, tastes, & feelings) 2. Simile –- A comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as. ” Ex. “Juliet is like a jewel. ” 3. Metaphor – – A comparison of two unalike things not using “like” or “as. ” Ex. “Juliet is the sun. ” 4. Onomatopoeia –– When words sound like what they mean. Ex. Boom! Pow! Zoom! Clank! 5. Personification – Giving human characteristics to something not human. Ex. The wind screamed through the forest of trees and whipped the leaves off of their branches.

Elements of Style: Very Important! Bradbury is extremely proud (and with good cause) of his description of the T-Rex. About this section Bradbury has stated, “I say to the audience ‘I’m going to stop you here okay? . . . and you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to describe a dinosaur as it has never been described. Now watch this. ’ And then I sit down and write a prose poem about this wonderful creature that comes gliding out the jungle. ” What effect do the literary devices have on the reader? How do they give us insight as to what the narrator would be feeling?

Critical Thinking What is the purpose of the antigravity path? How then are they allowed to hunt if they can’t step on the grass? If they do not want to kill a mouse, then why a TREX? Isn’t this also problematic? What does theme of this story seem to be so far? Make some predictions as to what might happen. How serious of a problem is it that Eckels jumps off the path? Why does he do it? In what rather grotesque detail does the author describe the final moments of the beast? Is this good writing? Why or why not? Why is Travis angry at Eckles? Is this thematic?

The Butterfly Effect & “A Sound of Thunder” The idea that one butterfly could eventually have a far-reaching ripple effect on subsequent historic events seems first to have appeared in “A Sound of Thunder, ” a 1952 short story by Ray Bradbury about time travel. The “Butterfly Effect” is now a common clichéd plot device; however, Bradbury was the first to use the idea in fiction. Special Note: In German the name (Deutscher) means “German. ” This story was written right after WWII when Hitler’s Germany was considered the ultimate example of evil, not only because of the holocaust, but in a political sense because they were so different from us. They had long had a dictatorship while we have had a democracy.

The Grand Finale Tyme Sefar. I Inc. Sefaris tu any yeer en the past. Yu naim the animall. Wee taektuthair. Yu shoot it. or f g r n i b afte r u ist rtly d e sho b ign der I? s his y rea ar I t uld orar rld W o w mp Wo How does Bradbury use his theme y h nte W to shock his reader in the end of o ac The story concludes with an eerie, twilight zone type of ending, not only for Eckles, but also for the reader. this story?

Complete a plot diagram for this story. Climax most exciting/suspenseful moment Complications new problems arise Basic Situation/Exposition conflict is introduced Falling Action Winding down Resolution problems are resolved

Write a paragraph about “A Sound of Thunder” using the “Somebody Wants However Therefore” model. Example: Somebody Wants wants to learn about his parents, Harry Potter be happy, and make friends. However Therefore However, he must protect himself from the dangers he faces at Hogwarts. Therefore, he learns how to use his powers for good and to protect himself and his friends.

Somebody wants However, Therefore, Somebody = = who - the individual or character what complications, problems, or conflict solution, outcome, or resolution Wants However Therefore “A Sound of Thunder” Eckles or Travis (pick one)