Mollie Sweeney

A Sound of Thunder
Character
Two major characters are Travis and Eckels. Travis works with the Time
Safari, and is taking a hunting party back into the past to hunt. He is
very strict about the rules of time travel. He is very straightforward
with whats allowed. Eckels seems brave at first, showing of phony
bravadobut it was just that. A phony faade. We also find that Eckels
acts before he thinks, for in his blind fear, he stepped off the path. This
action, eventually, caused his death.
Plot
A group of hunters go far into the past to hunt dinosaurs. Because one
small change can make huge differences in the world, the people in
charge of the hunting trip take very many precautions. It is made clear
that one small misstep could cause substantial change to the present
world. One man, in panic, steps on a butterfly, and alters the course of
the future.
Setting
The story takes place first in 2055 and then in prehistoric times. It is in
America, and then Africa, respectively.
Tone/Mood
I think the author feels a bit tense about the subject; theres always
that chance that something will go wrong. I also feel tense while
reading, because, as theyre traveling back to the present, you are
unsure of whether the future has been changed or completely
unaltered.
Point of view
Third person point of view; it makes us understand the story very well,
instead of subjecting us to one persons view.
Stylistic Devices
Ray Bradbury is very descriptive in his details, and also uses
comparative things like similes and metaphors to make the story
interesting.
Symbolism
The butterfly, to me, symbolizes the butterfly effect that happens. This
is when one small thing that has a substantial effect on many different
things.
Theme
The theme is that you have to be careful what you do, and listen to
others precautions, before you act rashly.

Mollie Sweeney

Thesis
Overall, Ray Bradbury used plot and setting to make this story
interesting, and convey the theme that you shouldnt mess with things
you are to be kept out of.