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A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury

Short story

About

"A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story published in 1952. It explores the concept of time travel and its potential consequences on the timeline. The story follows Eckels, a hunter who joins a time-traveling safari to hunt dinosaurs. Despite strict rules to avoid altering the past, Eckels' fear and panic lead him to step off the designated path, resulting in the death of a butterfly. This seemingly insignificant action has profound effects on the future. The story delves into themes of human hubris, the interconnectedness of all things, and the dangers of interfering with nature. The Butterfly Effect is central, illustrating how small actions can lead to massive changes. Bradbury critiques the reckless use of technology and highlights humanity's responsibility to consider the consequences of their actions. The narrative ends with a dramatic shift in the world, symbolizing the irreversible impact of altering the past.