The ending of The Veldt by Ray Bradbury is both shocking and thought-provoking. In the final moments of the story, the parents, George and Lydia Hadley, are lured into the nursery by their children, Peter and Wendy. The nursery, which is a highly advanced virtual reality room, has been programmed to simulate an African veldt. However, the veldt is not just a harmless simulation; it has become a dangerous and deadly environment.
As George and Lydia enter the nursery, they hear the distant roar of lions. The children, who have become emotionally attached to the nursery and resent their parents for trying to take it away, lock their parents inside. The story ends with the parents being attacked and presumably killed by the lions, while the children calmly watch from a distance.
The ending serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of technology and the potential consequences of allowing it to replace human relationships and responsibilities. The children’s attachment to the nursery symbolizes how technology can become an all-consuming force, leading to a loss of empathy and moral values. The parents’ inability to control the nursery reflects the broader theme of humanity’s struggle to manage the rapid advancements in technology.
Ultimately, the ending of The Veldt is a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a balance between technology and human connection. It warns against the dangers of becoming too reliant on technology and losing sight of what truly matters in life.