In the stories “The Commuter” by Philip K. Dick and “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury both go into alternate realities, although they do this in different ways. “The Veldt” shows a futuristic home where the kids use ‘virtual reality’ as a way out, which leads to their deaths. Moreover, “The Commuter” takes a more subtle approach to an alternate reality by following a man, Bob Paine, who’s on his journey to discover ‘Macon Heights’ but, he finds a train that leads him to the alternate reality. Despite these differences, both stories show the dangers of losing a person’s touch on reality and the results of wanting to escape from reality.
“The Veldt” and “The Commuter” seem to be a warning against the possible negative effects of technology and the escape we want from reality. In “The Veldt,” Bradbury tells against the risks of relying too much on technology for satisfaction and entertainment, showing how it can cause pain and how it separates you from reality. However, “The Commuter” makes the argument that the want to escape from one’s reality even for one that seems better may not be the best decision and might even cause a person to lose their sense of self and purpose.
Overall, both stories encourage readers to think about how they relate to reality and the desire to escape from it. It allows the readers to find peace in their lives and appreciate the present rather than chasing after an alternate reality. It challenges us to think about the consequences of wanting an alternate reality and how it can negatively impact us.
Hey,
What specific aspects of the characters experiences in each story do you think contribute most to the warning against seeking escape from reality?