way2go! 7. Coursebook, Schulbuch

41 “We were, for a long while. Now we’re going to really start living. Instead of being handled and massaged, we’re going to live.” Wendy was still crying, and Peter joined her again. “Just a moment, just one moment, just another moment of nursery,” they wailed. “Oh, George,” said the wife, “it can’t hurt.” “All right – all right, if they’ll just shut up. One minute, mind you, and then off forever.” “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” sang the children, smiling with wet faces. “And then we’re going on a vacation.” […] “I think we’d better get downstairs before those kids get engrossed 9 with those damned beasts again. Just then they heard the children calling, “Daddy, Mommy, come quick – quick!” They went downstairs in the air flue and ran down the hall. The children were nowhere in sight. “Wendy? Peter!” They ran into the nursery. The veldtland was empty save for the lions waiting, looking at them. “Peter, Wendy?” The door slammed. “Wendy, Peter!” George Hadley and his wife whirled and ran back to the door. “Open the door!” cried George Hadley, trying the knob. “Why, they’ve locked it from the outside! Peter!” He beat at the door. “Open up!” He heard Peter’s voice outside, against the door. “Don’t let them switch off the nursery and the house,” he was saying. Mr. and Mrs. George Hadley beat at the door. “Now, don’t be ridiculous, children. It’s time to go.” And then they heard the sounds. The lions on three sides of them, in the yellow veldt grass, padding through the dry straw, rumbling and roaring in their throats. The lions. Mr. Hadley looked at his wife and they turned and looked back at the beasts edging slowly forward crouching, tails stiff. […] What do you think is happening to the parents? Are the children aware of what they have done? Find evidence for your answer. Discuss these questions about the story in class: 1 What techniques does Bradbury use to make the story effective and realistic? Choose a few specific examples from the text that you particularly like and explain why. 2 The Veldt was published in 1950. How is the story still relevant today? 3 What is the author’s attitude toward technology? What is the story’s overall message? Do you agree with it? 3 Choose one of these activities to do in class or at home: 1 Decide what happens next and write an additional page to the story. 2 Write a series of entries for Peter’s diary. 3 Complete each of the following seven ideas using the story for inspiration, then exchange your ideas with other classmates: This story made me aware that … decide that … wonder about … see that … believe that … feel that … hope that … 4 Imagine that you have to organise a tour of the house. Make a recording for an audio guide describing it. 4 9 to get engrossed with sth.: sich von etw. vereinnahmen lassen Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv