Friday, January 16, 2015

Describe and Explain Peter's conversation with George in "The Veldt."

The background of the conversation is that the Hadley parents, George and Lydia, have become increasingly worried about their children Peter and Wendy's obsessive fascination with the African veldt scene that plays in their nursery. George goes to nursery and tries to turn the veldt off, but he finds he can't. The parents discuss going on a vacation to get away from their house, which has become oppressive. The house is separating them from their children.
When Wendy and Peter come home from a carnival and sit with the parents at dinner, George confronts them directly about the veldt, asking them to talk to him about Africa. Peter out and out lies, saying there is no Africa and that he doesn't remember any Africa. George tells him he was just in the nursery and saw the veldt. Peter pretends innocence and sends Wendy down to check. But the time the parents get there, Wendy has changed the view screens to show a much more innocent scene.
At this point, George has had it with the lies. He orders the amazed children off to bed and locks the nursery.
George's conversation with Peter shows how disconnected the two are. Peter lies blatantly and shows no respect for his father. The conversation shows that Peter wants to keep the veldt a secret. The children, used to completely permissive parents, are surprised when George puts his foot down and makes them go to bed.

No comments:

Post a Comment

What is the theme of the chapter Lead?

Primo Levi's complex probing of the Holocaust, including his survival of Auschwitz and pre- and post-war life, is organized around indiv...