Ray Bradbury: Short Stories Lesson Plan

How does Ray Bradbury use language—and names—to reveal character when it comes to portraying the children in “The Veldt” and “Zero Hour”?

The Hadley children are spoiled brats. This is indicated by the cold, formal way they speak, addressing Mr. Hadley as “Father” and using words such as “dreadful,” “horrid,” “very well,” and offering Mr. McClean a “cup of tea”. The Hadley parents talk like normal Americans, but Ray Bradbury indicates the lack of connection between the children and their parents by having Wendy and Peter speak and act like spoiled British aristocrats.

The names Peter and Wendy come from Peter Pan, the novel (and Disney movie) about children who don’t ever...