Discovering connections between texts enhances our understanding of

how context influences values Discuss this statement in relation to

the texts you have studied in class this term
As explorations of their particular contexts, Bradburys short story Sound of
Thunder, Vonneguts Shortstory Harison Bergeron and the film Gattaca by
Niccols explore the controversial eithics of integrating sophisticated technology
into society, and the ramifications of social engineering on individual identity.
Whilst Bradbury and Voneguts texts were influenced by the political and
economic paradigms of the USA post WWII. Niccols reflects on the social and
ethical concerns surrounding the development of genetic engineering in his
1990s context.

Ray Bradbury in sound of thunder (1958) warns against the entrepreneurial

exploitation of science a venture bearing societal consequences beyond human
comprehension. At a time when the relentless pursuit of knowledge foreshadows
a world inevitably dictated by science, Bradbury explores the societal
implications of the commercial misuse of science. A client Eckles departs on a
journey back in time with safari operators Travis and Lesperance to hunt
dinosaurs, inadvertently changing the course of history. The metaphor The time
was a film run backward. Suns fled and ten million moons fled after them
emphasises the perception of the phenomenal power of science at the time.
Traviss hyperbole for want of a lion, all manner of insects, vultures, infinite
billions of lifeforms are thrown into chaos and destruction emphasises that the

ramifications of commercial scientific negligence are born by the entirety of

nature. The metaphor and the caveman, is an entire future nation infers the
consequences of commercial scientific endeavour that are shouldered by
subsequent generations. The biblical allusion Destroy this one man and you
destroy a race, a people, an entire history of life, it is comparable to slaying one
of Adams grandchildren emphasis the detrimental impact of the commercial
pursuit of science on society. Hence, Bradbury communicates the perils of the
negligent exploitation of science on society

In the film Gattaca 1997, Nicholls similarly conveys the notion that the unethical
exploitation of science would have severe ramifications on society. Influenced by
the controversial human gene project of the 1990s, Niccols suggests that a
society based on the pursuit of artificial perfection would lose touch with human
empathy and compassion. Diagnosed with a 99% chance of heart failure
amongst other complications, Vincent freeman embarks on a quest to fulfil his
dreams of travelling into space in a dystopic society revolving around ones
genetics. The dangers of abusing science are conveyed in the opening biblical
verse consider the work of god, for who can straighten what he hath made
crooked (ecclasiates 7:13) inplying that man has no right to tamper with Gods
creations. When Vincent enters the corridors of the Gattaca Academy, the sepiea
mise-enscene with extensive artificial lighting creates a cold calculating
atmosphere reflecting the sterile environment void of normal human interaction.
Vincent states no matter how much I lied in my resume, the real resume was in
my cells, the metaphor reveals the lack of value for an individuals merit. Thus
Nicolls, has brought to light the consequences of the exploitation of science.

In Harrison Berger on 1961 Vonegut expresses his scepticism at the notion that
the abolition of individual differences enables the establishment of a utopia. A
reflecting the propaganda filled concerns over communism in 1965 USA
Vonnegut implies that any attempt to create an egalitarian society through
government legislation would diminish individuality. A Harrison Berger Ron
details a segment of the lives of a George Hazel and Harrison, civilians whose
rights are pressed in an attempt to conform individuals to a societal standard to
create equality. True equality was due to the 211th, 212, and the 213
amendments to the Constitution ironically suggests that inequality is possible
only through diminishing individual rights and freedom. The simile a buzzer
sounded in Georges head. His thoughts fled in panic, like bandits from a burglar
alarm. reflects the press of measures taken by governments to create uniform
societies by abolishing freedom of thought. The auditory imagery "she began
again making her voice absolutely uncompetitive highlights the fact that society
can never be equal due to discrepancies. Hence Vonnegut has revealed through
the depiction of a utopian society that any attempts to create an egalitarian
society would diminish individuality.

Andrew Nicols's in Gattaca similarly casts doubt upon the prospect of

engineering and egalitarian society through the devaluation of differences. Amid
concerns regarding the ethics of gene technology following the completion of the
human genome project, Nicholls explores the implications of the societal pursuit
of artificial perfection on human identity. The opening montage displays a singing
of close-up shots depicting Vincent vigorously rubbing his skin as he tries
eliminates his natural' invalid' genetic signature. The depiction of employees of
identical height and style of dress entering Gattaca alludes to the lifeless
uniformity in a society created by the artificial conception of individuals. The
palate of the interior of Gattaca consists mainly of sepia and greyscale tones,
reflecting the sterile atmosphere which suggests that the' perfect society' has all
humanity expelled. The oxymoron they are the healthy ill. They dont actually
have anything, yet they may never reveals the effect of social engineering in
creating societal divisions created by genetic inheritance rather than personal
identity. Nicholls, through the depiction of a dystopic society, thus warns of the
dangers of social engineering on individuality.

The exploration of issues in Sound of Thunder, Harrison Bergeron and Gattaca

facilitate our understanding of connections between texts hence enhancing our
interpretation of each authors stance on the integration of science into society.
The importance of discovering connections between texts thus becomes

apparent in these texts, which convey similar ideas despite being created at
various instances throughout the 20th century