Ray Bradbury’s “A Sound of Thunder”, a futuristic tale, is set in a world where time travel has been invented and used for entertainment. The human race can “basically” travel back in time to any moment of history. The story is dominated by a theme of cause-and-effect. Even a small change in history can have a profound impact on the future. The plot requires that time travel be used recklessly, despite the danger. Eckels, who is the protagonist, joins a “Time Safari Inc.” company which organizes guided prehistoric hunters. The government and company seem to know the dangers involved in changing the past. This is evident by the rules, precautions, and warnings provided to travelers. Ray Bradbury’s story is a testament to the power of technology which we humans are unable to comprehend. Every action has a consequence.
Time Safari, Inc., which offers time-travel experiences, initially seems to have a good understanding of the dangers that come with changing the past, and this is evident in the warnings they give to travelers. The company makes it clear that they cannot guarantee any outcome, including the safety of their clients. Eckels must sign a liability release before setting out. The agent of the company explains that the dinosaurs will be hungry.
Mr. Travis is Eckels’ guide and explains why the company has taken so many precautions for safety to ensure that their safaris will have minimal effect on the history. According to him, small changes can have a major impact on civilizations thousands of years in the past. It is possible that something as small as stepping onto a mouse in your lifetime could have far-reaching consequences over the course of many millions of years.
There are still penalties for those who might stray from the path, suggesting that the company is not taking the necessary precautions, given that it has a supposedly accurate understanding of the risks of changing the past. The company may be able to explain why certain events could have changed the past, but it does not take into account the chance element. When the dinosaur scares Eckels, for example, he lacks the mental clarity to return to the machine after being frightened. He instead wanders off, and the guides are not aware of the damage done until after the dinosaur has frightened Eckels.
Bradbury is thus presenting an apparent naivete from the human race. It paradoxically acknowledges the enormous dangers associated with changing the past, but also believes that it can protect itself against these changes. Travis confesses that “We don’t really know.” Time Safaris, Inc., has taken these precautions because they are guessing. This uncertainty lends the scenario an air of recklessness because humans are playing with powers they don’t understand.
Even a small mistake can cause a series historical events to unfold. Eckels steps on the butterfly and tramples a few small plants when he veers off of the path. This tiny act, however causes a massive political upheaval that even affects the English language. Eckels notices the new sign at the Time Safaris, Inc., now reading “TYME SEFARI INC.” Eckels quickly realizes that this change is more than just a simple spelling, and that it has an ironic twist. Eckels joked to the agent of the company that he might want to leave the present if Keith had lost the election and Deutscher won. When he returns, he discovers that the trip back in time has actually helped Deutscher win.
The plot of A Sound of Thunder is built on the notion that cause and effects are more complicated than people might imagine. Bradbury explores technology’s consequences by using science fiction conventions. His story shows the futility and misguidedness of humans trying to change history in the future. Bradbury wants readers to question whether technological advancements only serve to fuel human hubris.
Eckels returns from 65 million year ago to find a drastically different present than the one he had left. In this story we see how small actions can lead to big consequences.