Forgiving One's Father: "Smoke Signals"

 

Where have we seen a similar message of forgiving one's father or the importance of forgiveness? Think Summer Readings. Why is forgiveness particularly important from the Native American perspective? Think about A Drug Called Tradition.

Write a 250-500 response that focuses on why it is importance of forgiveness in one's life. Also consider what the dangers are if one does not forgive. Briefly explain how forgiveness was important in any of summer readings (pick one). In a similar way, elaborate on the importance of forgiveness within Native American culture (reference A Drug Called Tradition to prove this point).

 

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"The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury

In the Bradbury short story, The Veldt, the reader is confronted with shocking realities and event more shocking virtual realities. We see children obsessed with technology. Parents with essentially no control over their children. A family rendered entirely helpless and fully dependent on their "Happy Life Home." Intimate relationships and communication between family members seems a thing of the past. And, of course, most shocking of all are the children's murderous reaction to the threat of their "nursery" being shut off.

As much as we might see this short story as a hyperbolic example of the dangers of technology, hasn't this argument been made for decades and hasn't the number of parents murdered by their children stayed about the same throughouot these many decades? In other words, aren't these fears over-blown and nothing more than adults midunderstanding the changing word around them. Doesn't every generation fear the downfall of the next generation, if not from technology, from some other "threatening" force? Perhaps every generation does do this, and that is the end of the conversation.

However, could one argue that this story has become more relevent today than it was the day of its publication? And, if so, could one also argue that technology is having a more profound effect on children today than ever before? And, if this too could be argued, could one also make the case that children are more dependent on technology today than ever before?

Today, I want you to consider the latter. Consider what your life would be like if you could not have a computer, the internet, a cell phone or a wireless device for a year. Do you think you would have a difficult time adjusting to this change? What would you do instead of using these luxuries? After providing a paragraph or two responding to this hyperthetical scenerio, develop an argument around the idea that technology today is creating a generation of individuals who are more dependent on technology than ever before. Provide personal or general examples to support your argument. Finally, directly reference The Veldt somewhere in your response.

Please write a 500 word response to today's prompt. Have fun.

 

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