Comparative Analysis: Time Travel and Technology in Two Short Stories

This essay provides a comparative analysis of Ray Bradbury's 'A Sound of Thunder' and Gloria Skurzynski's 'Nethergrave', focusing on the portrayal of 'other worlds,' the use of technology, and their impact on the narratives. The essay examines how Bradbury's story utilizes time travel to explore the butterfly effect, contrasting it with Skurzynski's use of computer technology to create a virtual world. It discusses the differences in technological sophistication and the consequences of actions within each story's unique setting. Furthermore, it highlights the thematic elements, such as the impact of technology on life and the virtual world. The essay underscores how both stories use science fiction elements to deliver messages, with 'A Sound of Thunder' emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of minor actions and 'Nethergrave' illustrating the complexities of virtual experiences. Finally, the essay references the works cited by the student.

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A Sound of Thunder and Nethergrave
1. Compare and contrast the “other worlds” of “A Sound of Thunder" and "NetherGrave"
"Nethergrave" and "The Sound of Thunder" are interesting stories based on incredible
imagination of time travel in another world. Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" takes the hunter
back to the time of dinosaurs and with no guarantee of safety and return. The Time Safari takes
them to much more dangerous world filled with dinosaurs and where they need to follow strict
guidelines. In the 'Nethergrave,' the main character is able to go to the 'other world' with the help
of his hi-tech computer but as a jaguar. He experiences the new world through the eyes of his
avatar.
When making a comparison of the "other worlds" in the short stories, 'Nethergrave'
happens in the real-world of computers while 'A Sound of Thunder' is based on pure science
fiction that takes place in a different era. However, the other world in the "NetherGrave" tends to
oscillate between the real and the other fictional world. While in wile 'A Sound of Thunder,' the
main characters don't alter their identity in the other world; the character in 'Nethergrave' takes
on a new avatar.
Both short stories take the reader into a fictional world and speculate on the possible
effects of certain events on future lives. For example, in 'A Sound of Thunder', when the main
character steps on a butterfly (Bradbury 299), while trying to shoot a dinosaur, his action change
the present, and the future of the world. In the "NetherGrave", the main character uses his mind

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control to enter the virtual world inside the computer and learn the tough lessons of life that it is
easier to make bad decisions.
2. Technology and its impact on our lives?
The use of technology is meant to make our lives better, and its effective and widespread
use is already prevalent in workplaces, colleges, and other institutions. Professionals rely on
technology to carry out their routine projects while students use technology to acquire
knowledge and share their learning experiences. Despite the many benefits of technology, it is
felt that the growing use and reliance on technology is leaving a negative impact on our lives.
The story 'A Sound of Thunder' uses more powerful technology when compared to
'Nethergrave,' as the time machine is able to go back many eras, and thus the story makes better
use of technology and modern science. In contrast, the other story, the computer is the
technology used, and it is not the main part of the story, until the end.
'A Sound of Thunder' is better than 'Nethergrave' in how it uses the role of science and
technology to send a message in a unique way. Its message that even a little thing such as
butterfly can have a large impact and the message holds true even today and can be incorporated
in life as well as technology. The way that Nethergrave' uses technology is also exciting but less
effective than the other story. However, it succeeds in pointing out to the reader that in the
virtual world, nobody abandons you, unlike the real world ( Skurzynski 323).

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Works Cited
Bradbury, Ray. "A Sound of Thunder." Collier's magazine. vol. 1, No. 1, 1952, pp. 287-300.
Skurzynski, Gloria. " NetherGrave." Other Worlds. vol. 1, No. 1, 1952, pp. 313-324.