Mr. and Mrs. Hadley met a tragic end in Ray Bradbury’s short story, “The Veldt.” The couple, who lived in a technologically advanced home with their two children, Peter and Wendy, became increasingly disconnected from each other and their children as they relied heavily on the nursery—a virtual reality room that could create any environment. The children’s obsession with the African veldt simulation, which included lions and a savannah landscape, raised concerns for the parents.
As the story unfolds, Mr. Hadley, frustrated and anxious about his children’s fixation on the veldt, decides to shut down the nursery as he fears it is damaging their family dynamic. However, his actions lead to a dramatic confrontation. In the end, the children manipulate the nursery to manifest their unspoken resentment towards their parents. They leave Mr. and Mrs. Hadley vulnerable in the veldt, ultimately leading to their demise at the hands of the lions, symbolizing the ultimate failure of their familial bonds and the dangers of over-reliance on technology.