Literary Elements
What is the primary setting of "The Sound of Thunder"?
Safari Inc 2055 and the Jurassic era
What theme is represented by the consequences of time travel?
The danger of technology
Who is the protagonist of the story?
Eckels.
What event opens the story?
Eckels pays for a safari
What does the term "safari" mean in the context of the story?
Hunting dinosaurs.
Identify one major literary device used in the story.
Personification- "the thunder grumbled like an old man"
Simile- "it's armored flesh glittered like a thousand green coins.
Foreshadowing- "we guarantee nothing."
Hyperbole- "it could reach up and grab the moon"
Situational Irony- a butterfly destroying the world
How does the story address the theme of human arrogance?
Eckels was arrogant about hunting the T-Rex and it lead to disaster.
Describe the role of the Time Safari guide.
Preserve time. Instruct the time travelers and what to do.
What are the rules of the time safari?
Touch nothing, shoot when they tell you to. Stay on the path.
Define "extinct" as used in "The Sound of Thunder".
An entire species getting wiped out.
What point of view is used in the story?
3rd person omniscient
Provide an example of a theme related to nature in the story.
Nature is delicate and complex. Everything is connected.
What motivates Eckels to go on the time safari?
Desire to hunt the biggest game possible. He's gone on other safaris.
Describe the moment when Eckels first sees the dinosaur.
He freaks out.
What does "paradox" refer to in relation to time travel?
They can't contact each other in the past.
Define the term "foreshadowing" as it pertains to this story
-The presidential election
-the office sign
-Travis' conversation with Eckels
Discuss how fear plays a role in the narrative.
Travis seems afraid of time getting disrupted. Eckels is afraid of the T-Rex.
Name one character that represents authority in the story.
Travis
What is the consequence of Eckels stepping off the path?
There's a dictator as "president."
Explain the term "irrevocable".
Not able to be changed.
Describe the significance of the title "The Sound of Thunder".
Literally, the thunder is the gunshot and the roar of the dinosaur.
Figuratively, it is a sign of danger and destruction.
What does the story suggest about the relationship between technology and nature?
They are both fragile and can upset a delicate balance.
Analyze the character development of Eckels throughout the story.
Started off arrogant and turned into a sniveling baby.
Summarize the ending of the story and its implications.
Eckels is dead.
What is the meaning of "ecosystem" as it relates to the story's themes?
Everything effects each other via reproduction and the food chain.