Level: B.A/ B.B.S || Lesson 15 A Sound of Thunder (Ray Bradbury, USA, 1920
Words Meaning
Quaver = Shiver
Momentary = Temporary
Phlegm = Cough
Safari = Journey in the jungle
Tyrannosaurs rex = Dinosaur
Stare = Look deeply
Stiff = Hard
Aurora = Light
Gigantic = Very big
Bonfire = Flame
Parchment = Written in a thick paper
Dictatorship = Rule by dictator
Flushed = To become red with fear
Wrinkles = Fold
Thrill = Romantic
Merest = Only
Howled = Cried
Penalty = Punishment
Scare = Frightened
Entire = Completely
Chaos = Disorder
Expendable = Ordinary
Throttle = Pressed throat
Subtle = Very small
Harvest = Crops
Sterilized = Bacteria
Pit = Ditch
Monster = Ghost
Deliriums = Half conscious
Mesh = Net
Dissect = To make half
Whisper = Murmur
Chirping = Twittering
Rex = King
Ivory = Tusk of an elephant
Sculpture = Statue
Grab = Catch
Nightmare = Dreadful
Remit = Send
Jerked = Moved
Verdict = Judgment
Glitter = Shine
Wiggle = Move unconsciously
Clutched = Caught
Numb = Swollen
Shriek = To produce loud voice
Cram = To push with force
Iris = A part of eye
Lashed = Whipped
Spurt = Burst
Gauze = Transparent fabric
Locomotive = Connected with movement
Trophy = Medal
Steadily = Slowly
Fumble = Unable to stop
License = Freedom
Idiot = Foolish
Nudged = Hit with elbow
Whirled = Flung
Pleaded = Requested
Glistening = Shining
Guts = Courage
Spleen = Anger
Fumbled = Found
Finality = Defeat
Gauze = Measuring tool
Summary
On the eve of an American presidential election a party of businessmen go on hunting. Eckels and Travis are two main characters. There are other minor characters. Eckels goes to Travel Agent’s office – Time Safari Inc. It is an office and reads an advertisement about Time safari. This office provides a guide to travel around the jungle. The safari of that office sent Mr. Travis as a guide with Eckels.
Mr. Travis knows what they are allowed to shot and where they are allowed shooting. Mr. Travis asks Eckels to choose a weapon then Eckels picks up the biggest weapon. Travis, Eckels and two other hunters move towards the jungle on The Time Machine. The Time Machine is the vehicle. Then they arriced in the jungle. The other friends were Mr. Deutscher, Lesperance, Billings and Cramer. They went for hunting Tyrannosaurus rex. They landed in a large dense forest. Mr. Travis asked them not to go out of the metal stretched path. If they walked out the path, they could kill other insects with their feet. If he steps off the path, he will change the past, present and future of the earth. Mr. Travis says that minor mistake of killing of an animal can bring earth shaking consequences. Travis advised hunters to hunt only the red marked animals which have no future i.e. away seeing that terrible animal. He went inside the Time Machine to hide himself. They shot the animal and take out bullets from the dead animal’s body. Mr. Eckels’ hand covered with blood. They returned after hunting. When they arrived at their office they found some changes in everything. Mr. Travis goes to reception desk and asks “Who won the election?” Deutscher had won the election and become the president of America. They become happy. They said that if Keith had become president, there would be tyrannical government.
Later on Eckels saw a dead butterfly stuck to his boot. He says it won’t bring a bad it is minor thing. Bu Eckels steps on the butterfly and kills it. As result of that the president of the USA changed. Travis pulls out a pistol and tries to shoot at Eckel’s head and fires.
Read more:
NEB || Question paper of Hotel Management Class 11
NEB Question paper of Com English Class 11
Four Levels of Interpretation
-
Literal Comprehension:
On the eve of an American presidential election a party of businessmen go on hunting. Eckels and Travis are two main characters. There are other minor characters. Eckels goes to Travel Agent’s office – Time Safari Inc. It is an office and reads an advertisement about Time safari. This office provides a guide to travel around the jungle. The safari of that office sent Mr. Travis as a guide with Eckels.
Mr. Travis knows what they are allowed to shot and where they are allowed shooting. Mr. Travis asks Eckels to choose a weapon then Eckels picks up the biggest weapon. Travis, Eckels and two other hunters move towards the jungle on The Time Machine. The Time Machine is the vehicle. Then they arriced in the jungle. The other friends were Mr. Deutscher, Lesperance, Billings and Cramer. They went for hunting Tyrannosaurus rex. They landed in a large dense forest. Mr. Travis asked them not to go out of the metal stretched path. If they walked out the path, they could kill other insects with their feet. If he steps off the path, he will change the past, present and future of the earth. Mr. Travis says that minor mistake of killing of an animal can bring earth shaking consequences. Travis advised hunters to hunt only the red marked animals which have no future i.e. away seeing that terrible animal. He went inside the Time Machine to hide himself. They shot the animal and take out bullets from the dead animal’s body. Mr. Eckels’ hand covered with blood. They returned after hunting. When they arrived at their office they found some changes in everything. Mr. Travis goes to reception desk and asks “Who won the election?” Deutscher had won the election and become the president of America. They become happy. They said that if Keith had become president, there would be tyrannical government.
Later on Eckels saw a dead butterfly stuck to his boot. He says it won’t bring a bad it is minor thing. Bu Eckels steps on the butterfly and kills it. As result of that the president of the USA changed. Travis pulls out a pistol and tries to shoot at Eckel’s head and fires.
-
Interpretation:
This science fiction tries to show the importance of natural balance in our ecosystem. The writer gives an example of killing butterfly. According to the writer, minor things can bring imbalance in the nature. We should preserve our environment to make our future bright.
-
Critical Thinking:
This science fiction has complex language. It is too much difficult to understand. The words which are used in the text are form different aspects of life. They are related to politics, technology, economics, history, social, literature etc. It is also difficult to believe how a killing of an insect a can bring change in the politics of America. The story is presented in a mysterious way. The plot of this story is composed haphazardly. Sometimes he says the main characters moved to past and present. It is also questionable.
-
Assimilation:
After reading his story, I learnt that killing of an insect can also cause a great destruction to our environment. We are killing small animals or insects indifferently, but it can be harmful for us. Killing of an insect can bring change in ecosystem. I know that each of the creatures whether big or small plays an important role to keep balance in our ecosystem.