Vocabulary in context
In the story, what does the word "quaver" describe, and what does it suggest about Eckels's state of mind?
It describes the sign on the wall seeming to shake or tremble under a film of warm water. It suggests Eckels is nervous, disoriented, and uncertain — reality itself feels unstable to him.
What specific action does Eckels take that causes the entire change in the timeline?
He steps off the Path and kills a butterfly with his muddy boot.
How much does the safari cost, and what is the penalty for disobeying instructions?
The safari costs ten thousand dollars. The penalty for disobeying is another ten thousand dollars, plus possible government action.
What image does Bradbury use to describe the Tyrannosaurus Rex's eyes, and what does it suggest?
"Ostrich eggs" — empty of all expression save hunger. It suggests the monster is inhuman, emotionless, and purely instinctual — a force of nature, not a character.
What kind of hunter is Eckels? What has he hunted before?
He has hunted tiger, wild boar, buffalo, and elephant. He is an experienced hunter, but he is not prepared for the T-Rex.
What does the word "annihilate" mean in Travis's speech about the mouse? What is he actually saying will be destroyed?
It means to destroy completely. Travis says that stepping on one mouse will annihilate not just the mouse, but all its future families, then foxes, lions, insects, and eventually an entire caveman's civilization — a whole chain of life.
Why does Eckels step off the Path? What emotion drives him?
He steps off because he panics when he sees the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Fear drives him — he says, "Get me out of here."
How many Safari leaders and hunters were killed last year, according to the man behind the desk?
Six Safari leaders and a dozen hunters.
What image describes the Time Machine's sound, and what does it suggest about time itself?
"A sound like a gigantic bonfire burning all of Time." It suggests time is vast, dangerous, and consuming — something that can be destroyed or reversed by a single touch.
How does Travis treat Eckels throughout the story? Give two examples.
Travis treats Eckels with contempt and anger. Examples: he says "Don't even aim for fun, blast you!"; he threatens to leave Eckels in the past; he makes him dig out the bullets; he says "I might kill you yet."
What does "irreversible" mean in the context of Eckels's actions? What makes his mistake irreversible?
It means cannot be undone or changed back. His mistake is irreversible because time cannot be rewound — once the butterfly is killed, the change ripples through 60 million years, and there is no way to restore the original timeline.
What is the paradox that Eckels asks about, and how does Lesperance explain it?
Eckels asks: if Lesperance came back this morning, mustn't he have bumped into their safari? Lesperance explains that it would be a paradox — "Time doesn't permit that sort of mess — a man meeting himself." Time "steps aside" like an airplane hitting an air pocket.
How does Lesperance choose which animals to hunt? Describe his method precisely.
He tracks them through their entire existence, noting which lives longest, how many times they mate, and the exact hour, minute, and second they will die. He shoots a paint bomb to mark them with a red patch. They only kill animals with no future — those about to die anyway.
What image does Bradbury use to describe the dead butterfly, and why is it significant?
It is "an exquisite thing, a small thing that could upset balances and knock down a line of small dominoes and then big dominoes and then gigantic dominoes." It is significant because it shows that beauty and fragility can be more powerful than size — a tiny creature can change history.
What is Lesperance's role in the story, and how does he differ from Travis?
Lesperance is the assistant who tracks and marks the animals. He is calm, methodical, and professional. He differs from Travis in that he shows sympathy — he says, "You didn't have to make him do that."
What does "speculation" mean in the context of Travis's speech about time? What is he actually speculating about?
It means guessing or theorizing without full knowledge. Travis speculates about whether time can be changed at all — whether their actions make "a big roar or a little rustle in history." He admits: "We don't know. We're guessing."
What does Travis make Eckels do after the dinosaur is killed, and why?
Travis makes Eckels dig the bullets out of the dead monster's body with a knife. The bullets cannot be left behind in the Past — they don't belong there and might change something.
What are the exact precautions the company takes to avoid contaminating the past?
The Path floats six inches above the earth. The Machine, Path, clothing, and bodies are sterilized. They wear oxygen helmets so they can't introduce bacteria into the ancient atmosphere. They only shoot animals marked with red paint that are about to die.
What image describes the Tyrannosaurus Rex's lower legs, and what does it suggest about the monster?
"Each lower leg was a piston, a thousand pounds of white bone, sunk in thick ropes of muscle." It suggests the monster is mechanical, powerful, and perfectly designed for destruction — like a war machine.
How does Eckels change from the beginning of the story to the end?
At the beginning, he is excited, confident, and eager for the thrill. By the end, he is terrified, guilty, and broken — he kneels, shivers, and begs to undo his mistake.
What does "to forfeit" mean in Travis's threat to Eckels? What exactly would the company forfeit, and why does it matter?
It means to lose or give up something as a penalty. The company would forfeit thousands of dollars of insurance, and possibly their license to travel — because they guaranteed no one would leave the Path. Eckels broke that guarantee.
What two changes in the present does Eckels notice upon returning, and in what order?
First, he senses a chemical taint in the air and a strange feel to the colors and atmosphere. Then he sees the changed sign on the wall — the words are spelled differently (TYMESEFARI INC.). Then he finds the dead butterfly on his boot.
What is the exact wording on the sign when they first arrive, and how does it change when they return?
First: "TIMESAFARI, INC. / SAFARI TO ANY YEAR IN THE PAST. / YOU NAME THE ANIMAL. / WE TAKE YOU THERE. / YOU SHOOT IT."
After: "TYMESEFARI INC. / SEFARI STUANY YEER EN THE PAST. / YU NAIM THE ANIMALL. / WEE TAKE YU THAIR. / YU SHOOT ITT."
What image describes the T-Rex as a whole, and what does it suggest about humanity's place in nature?
It is described as "a great evil god." It suggests that nature is overwhelming, godlike, and indifferent to human beings — humans are tiny and insignificant before it.
What does Travis mean when he says, "It's too early to tell" after Eckels digs out the bullets? What does this reveal about the uncertainty of time?
He means that they don't yet know the full consequences of Eckels's actions. It reveals that time is unpredictable and uncontrollable — even the experts don't know what will happen.