Literary Analysis &
Close Reading Assignment
*
Climax
most exciting/suspenseful moment
Complications/Rising Actions
new problems arise
Basic Situation/Exposition
conflict is introduced
Falling Action
Winding down
Resolution
problems are
resolved
The Butterfly Effect
Did you know that each of these
shows and /or movies has been
influenced by the story we are about
to read? Can you guess how?
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 first let’s
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. (8 & ½
gallons of oil in each car tire)!
The “Butterfly Effect” is similar, except
that we cannot see what causes what.
We know that small things can effect
entire systems.
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.
Can you give any examples in stories
when changing the past even if only in
the smallest way alters the course of
the future?
Literary Device Catalog
Objectives: Students will practice
identifying and critiquing literary
elements in “A Sound of Thunder.”
Students will improve their writing
style through transferring what they
have learned in the note taking
processes to writing a short
descriptive paragraph.
Requirements:
While reading, you must document 2
examples of literary devices per
page in your journals. Pick one of
the two literary device examples you
wrote down and in a sentence
explain why you think it is effective
/good writing.
ASOT LIT. Devices Catalog
(p. 505) Imagery = “oiled
striding legs”
Simile = “fence of teeth like
daggers”
Metaphor = “Each lower leg
was a piston”
Bradbury’s simile comparing a
TREX’s teeth to a fence of
daggers is effective writing
because it allows the reader to
get a sense of how much danger
the narrator is in.
Literary Device Review
Imagery –(sights, sounds, smells, tastes, & feelings)
Simile – A comparison using “like” or “as”
Metaphor – – A comparison of two unalike things not using
“like” or “as.” Ex. “Juliet is the sun”
Onomatopoeia –– When words sound like what they mean. Ex.
Boom! Pow!
Personification – Giving human characteristics to something
not human. Ex. The wind screamed
Literary Device Class Practice
Notice the ways Bradbury describes his time machine. (p.2) Find 3
similes or metaphors that help us to better imagine the essence of this
machine?
(p. 2 and 3) What effect does the diction have on the mood of the
story?
(p. 3- The dinosaur in described as an “incredible monster”. What are
the connotations of these two words?
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.
Critical Thinking
What is the purpose of the antigravity path?
(p. 5-6) 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 T-REX? Isn’t
this also problematic?
What does the theme of this story seem to be so far? Make some
predictions as to what might happen.
Elements of Style
(Very Important!)
Bradbury is extremely proud
and with good cause of his
description of the
Tyrannosaur. Bradbury about
this section 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.”
Pg. 10
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
(p. 12-13) How serious of a problem is it that Eckels jumps off the
path? Why does he do it?
(p. 12-13) – rather grotesque – in what detail does the author
describe the final moments of the beast? Is this good writing? Why
or why not? What is the effect of the author’s choice of words?
(p. 14-15) – Why is Travis angry at Eckels? Is this thematic?
The Grand Finale
TYME SEFARI Inc.
Sefaris tu any yeer en the past.
Yu naim the animall.
Wee taek yu thair.
Yu shoot it.
The story concludes with an
eerie, twilight zone type of
ending not only for Eckles,
but for the reader.
How does Bradbury use his
theme to shock his reader in
the end of this story?
Writing Assignment
Observe with care the specific literary devices you paid
attention to while reading this story. Remember what
made you select these devices and why you thought these
were effective. Now you are going to emulate Bradbury’s
style in a page length piece of fiction of your own.
Writing prompt: Choose a specific scene from the story.
First, retell the story through Eckels point of view ( 1st
person). Decide first what your tone is and what mood you
want to create. Use careful diction and words that have
the correct connotations to convey your meaning.
Some possible scene choices- opening scene, pgs. 1-3,
meeting the T-Rex, pgs. 9-12., the return, pgs. 16-18.
* A Sound of Thunder Mini Quiz
____1) The resolution of the story can be defined as
A. When new problems arise
B. the most exciting/suspenseful moment
C. problems are resolved
D. conflict is introduced
2) Describe in your own words the rising action of A Sound of
Thunder.
3) Which country does Deutscher’s last name come from?
4) Other than the death of Eckels, what is another way the author
scares the reader into an agreement with the moral of his story.
5) Give one literary device or description the author uses to create
his T-rex. Why is this good writing?
*
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
Characterization
The various characters in the story represent different types of personalities.
Travis represents a “Type A” personality, in that he strictly abides by
all rules and regulations as directed by the government. “Stay on the
path,” Travis sternly states, “Don’t go off it. I repeat. Don’t go
off. For any reason! If you fall off, there’s a penalty. And don’t
shoot any animal we don’t okay” (Bradbury). Travis’ character
represents safety, not only of the passengers, but of all of
history. He understands the possible hazardous, life changing, Earth
shattering consequences that can occur if the past is altered in any
way, where Eckels’ character has no real concept of any of that.
Characterization
The various characters in the story represent different types of personalities.
The main character, Eckels, is an example of someone who is
searching for thrill and excitement, but does not consider the
consequences of his actions.
Where in the story do we see this?
How do both Eckels and Travis help us understand the THEME
(lesson we can apply to life) of this story?
*
Write a paragraph about “A Sound of Thunder” that SHOWS the theme of
this story using the Somebody, Wants, But, So model.
Examples
Somebody
Wants
wants to
learn about
his parents,
Harry Potter
be happy,
and make
friends
But
So
but he must
protect
himself from
the dangers
he faces at
Hogwarts
so he learns how to use
his powers for good and
to protect himself and
his friends
*
somebody
wants
but
so
Examples
Somebody
Peter Parker
A Sound of Thunder
(Eckels)
= who - the individual/character
= what
=
=complications/problems/conflict
= solution/outcome
Wants
wants to learn
about his parents,
and…
But
So