"A Sound of Thunder"

How does Ray Bradbury use language to describe the T-Rex in “A sound of thunder”? What are the effects on the reader?

 

“A Sound of Thunder” is a science fiction short story by Ray Bradbury. The story is about a man named Eckels who’s a passionate hunter. Eckels travels back in time to kill a dinosaur but his actions alter the balance of nature and he changes the future. The author uses a series of unique describing techniques, which make this short story full of surprises.

The author uses a number of linguistic techniques to describe the dinosaur. When the characters first make contact with the beast, the author uses a metaphor to suggest the movements the dinosaur makes:

“Each lower leg was a piston”

The word piston immediately makes the reader think about a machine and then to the smoothness a piston can give to its movements. So when the writer says that each leg was a piston, he gives the idea that the dinosaur was flexible. This can be exciting for the reader because when something as dangerous as a dinosaur is also flexible it produces a series of new fearful action possibilities.

 

When the author ants to introduce more action into the description he uses this simile:

“Exposing a fence of teeth like daggers”

When Bradbury uses the description “…like daggers” he portraits a very dangerous and threatening element. This gives the reader a sense of action and makes him want to now what will happen with the threatening teeth of the beast. He also uses the word “exposing” to show that the dinosaur was feeling threatened and that he was about to attack.  

 

When the characters first see the dinosaur in the jungle, the author uses this phrase:

“There’s His Royal Majesty now”

The words “Royal Majesty” make the reader think about a respected figure and immediately shows that the characters reflected admiration and fear towards the beast. This is because royal majesty often represents a King or Queen and therefore power.

 

The beast is a majestic figure, and when Bradbury wants to make a comparison with a human he uses this phrase:

“…hands which might pick up and examine men like toys”

Before this phrase the author uses words like “delicate” to refer to the upper hands of the T-Rex, which, compared to the size of the dinosaur seam very small. When you compare these hands to a human, and the author says that you could examine men like toys with them, you realize that even these “insignificant” hands are a threat to a human and represent danger.

 

The dinosaur is not a majestic and dangerous beast, and Ray Bradbury wants to make this clear. To say this he uses this alliteration:

“…watchmaker’s claws close to its oily reptilian chest.”

When the author uses this repetition of words on the beginning of the words he is trying to make clear the idea that the front hands of the T-Rex are as precise ad delicate as the ones in a watchmaker. On the other hand alliteration is a way to give more power to the words and to the description. The author also uses the word “watchmaker” to make the reader see that the dinosaur has other qualities apart from being a brute and massive monster and to emphasise this part of his body. This alliteration makes the reader want to find out what will happen later and how these delicate hands will be used.

 

“A Sound of Thunder”. What’s the meaning of this? This can be confusing because the author makes many suggestions about it and uses this words in many ways. When Bradbury says:

“There was a sound of thunder”

This is the last phrase in the story and is used just after Eckels returns from the past and realizes he changed the future. This action takes him to his death and Travis executes him. From the place this phrase is located it gives the idea that the “Sound of Thunder” is the consequence of messing with nature and its power, and from breaking the balance in time. On the other hand Mr. Bradbury uses this words to describe the sound of Travis’s rifle when fired. This also suggests that the “Sound of Thunder” represents a gunshot or even the presence of death.

 

In conclusion to this analysis the author leaves the meaning of “A Sound of Thunder” opened to the readers interpretations and tries to send a message, which in m opinion, could be “don’t mess with nature and don’t break the balance in time.” After reading this marvellous story by Ray Bradbury you get the feeling that there are always consequences. 

 

By: Daniel Segura Mijares

10/11/08

 

 

 

 

 

"The Wire"

The Wire is the best police drama series ever made, with marvelous acting from Dominic West, John Doman and other great actors it tells the story about the police department and the "Ghetto" in Baltimore, Maryland. The main characters are drug dealers, cops and politicians, and some of them are based on real people from the city of Baltimore.

This masterpiece brings to the small screen the story of the war in the street, the drug world, the bureaucracy of the system, the corruption and the world of politics in one of the most controversial cities of the United States. In the "low rises" of Baltimore, Maryland everything happens. Kids at the age of 10 selling drugs, a mother in drugs raising up a family, addicts who will do anything to get some dope, a world where the life expectancy of the dealers is no higher than 30 years and where murders and crime become part of routine. The Wire also reflects the life inside the police department and the government: Corruption, bureaucracy, ambition, alcohol and Baltimore's Finest.

Cops who don't have anything interesting in their life apart from work and dealers who live every minute of their life surrounded by drugs and violence.

This is the story of Baltimore, Maryland, so I would like to recommend it to everyone who is interested. The best police drama series ever.

Daniel Segura

"Edificio Ermita" Mexico City

This is a photograph of the Ermita building in Mexico city. I chose to write about this building because I think its a great example of Art Deco in Mexico. This building was built and designed by Juan Segura in the late 40s and the designed was inspired in the famous Iron Building in New York city.

This building is located in Avenida Revolucion and it can be easily recognized by a gigantic Coca Cola advert on the front wall, which is not shown in this picture. This building is being remodeled because some of the apartments were abandoned and the building was damaged.

The image shown at the bottom of the Ermita Bulding is the Flat Iron Building in New York City. The design of this building was used by architect Juan Segura to inspire the design of the Ermita Building.

By: Daniel Segura

Poetry

Guns

Insignificant and loud
Dangerous in the wrong hands
Necessary for some and dreadful for others

Some people feel protected when they carry one,
Others feel threatened around them.
Guns give a sense of power to some
And a sense of fear to others.

Governments use them to cover their errors,
Criminals to get rid of their obstacles.
Murderers use them to simplify death,
And politicians to wash blood from their hands.

Guns represent war and disaster
They are related to murder and crime
Pistols are hated as an object
But the truth is guns are just lethal in the wrong hands.

Daniel Segura

"The Departed" (2006) Film Review

“The Departed”:
Director: Martin Scorsese.
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, Vera Farmiga.
Release: 17th of November 2006 (Mexico).

Runtime: 151 minutes
Genre: Crime, drama, thriller.
“The Departed” is an action movie directed by Martin Scorsese which finally gave the director an Oscar for best director after being nominated several times before with no victories. The film also won 3 other Oscars including best editing, best motion picture of the year and best writing or adapted screenplay. It is a movie that breaks the limits and tells a violent and bloody story between Irish mafia in Boston and the problems within the Massachusetts State Police and how both have several informants planted in each others organisations so that they can be secure and informed of everything that is happening.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, a new trooper of the Massachusetts state Police who is assigned to a special mission by Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) who are in charge of the SIU (Special Investigation Unit). The secret mission is to infiltrate as an undercover Costello’s gang after being 9 months on jail due to an aggression problem which is really a traumatic experience for anyone. Jack Nicholson plays Francis Costello, the boss of the Irish mafia who has been in the loop by the SIU and is closer than ever to be arrested therefore he also sends an undercover to infiltrate the SIU; Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) who tips off Costello every time he is in the loop or even being pursuit by his team mates of the SIU. After a while both organisations find out that a “rat” has infiltrated their group and the search for the “rat” becomes insane and bloodier than ever.
This film is an excellent representation of how the battles between the mafias and polices through the entire world are so aggressive, violent and bloody. The violence is perfectly portrayed by Marin Scorsese as the film is perfectly shot to show the dark side of the world. It is a movie that will impact everyone who watches it because of the violence and the final message of the film: the world is full of rats that will do anything to survive and to be with the ones they think is best. I truly recommend this film for people who are mature enough to see the true violent world.

By: Santiago Senties

"Casino (1995)" film review

Casino (1995)

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, James Woods.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Runtime: 178 min.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Action.

If theirs a favorite theme for Martin Scorseses movies, this is Mafia. Although “Goodfellas” is considered his masterpiece in this area, in “Casino” Scorsese portraits a different view of the mob by creating a perfect character; Robert DeNiro gives life to Sam “Ace” Rothstein, an expert in the casino arts and a master in running one in Las Vegas: “The Sin City”. With his unique ability of creating the perfect crime atmosphere, Martin takes all the characteristics of a Mafia family to a city without borders.

As said before Robert DeNiro plays Sam Rothstein, a guy involved with the mob who, due to his fantastic playing abilities and his characteristic intelligence to treat people, is send to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada to run a casino for the Family. Although things are looking great for “Ace” Rothstein, his old friend and famous “muscle of the family”, Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) arrives to the city with different intensions than him and starts to create a lot of trouble.

Pesci and his marvelous acting abilities, give life to a typical muscle man involved in the Mafia. Although he is not literally a “muscle man” Joe becomes the most feared man and also the most wanted man in Vegas. This cant be good for Rothstein, because he is involved with him. The problem turns even bigger when Sam starts to have marriage problems. He married Ginger “Sharon Stone” who slowly turns into the wrong women for him and assisted by his lover, Lester Diamond (James Woods) who plays a dirty and filthy PIMP, become the biggest problem for Sam Rothstein and his perfect life.

Although the runtime of the film is a bit long, Scorsese gives enough time for the characters to develop and for the problems to take form. This “Goodfells” styled movie is worth watching.

By: Daniel Segura

Cape Farewell What is it??

Its the name of an expedition in a boat that travels through the north of our continent, America. It takes students form all the world to observe the changes global warming has caused our Planet. The changes are easier to see in the poles because of the melting of the ice of the poles.
The main purpose of this expedition is to make people see whats happening and to understand the actual problem of global warming. People outside the expedition will be aware of everything going on and they supposedly transmit it to the community.
The students in Cape Farewell will study this changes and do various experiments in the subject to understand this problem and to be aware of all the threats to the world and to modern society.
Its an amazing trip but you have to work really hard to go and have good time. Only the ones who work for it should go.

What we like

What we like

Hello! My name is Daniel Segura and this are my likings:
I'm a very sporty guy, I personally like basketball and tennis. My favorite basketball team is Los Angeles Lakers, and my favorite player is Kobe Bryant (from that team). I also like Tennis and I think Roger Federer is the best player in the world.
I also like things like music, movies and reading. One of my favorite movies is "The Godfather", which I consider a masterpiece, my favorite music group is "The Beatles" personally I think one of their best songs is "Let it be".
I like to read books from authors like Jorge Ibarguengoitia (Mexico), Emilio Salgari (Italy), Julio Verne (France) and Jose Emilio Pacheco (Mexico).
I suggest a book named "Dos Crimenes" by Ibarguengoitia which tells about a Mexican guy who is running from the police; Its a very intelligent and entertaining story because it reflects all the funny aspects of the Mexican society in the countryside and it criticizes the mexican government in a very profound way.

Hey I'm Santiago Senties and this is what I like to do:
My favorite thing in the whole world is mainly football and I like other things like other sports, movies, music and reading. My favorite national football team is a team called "Pumas de la UNAM" and my favourite international football team is "Chelsea". I like other sports like basketball and my favorite team is The Dallas Maverics. I like all kind of movies like "Children of Men" and "Austin Powers" which are completely different because "Children of men" is an action and drama movie meanwhile "Austin Powers" is a comedy movie. "U2" is by far my favorite music group however I also enjoy "The Who". I love books about vampires and my favorite one is "I am legend" which is an excellent book in that subject written by Richard Matheson and a book which I really recomend!

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