How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Maybe I don't have enough to do. Maybe I have time to think too much." (48)
If only Lydia had something to do, like write a novel or paint or… Seriously, it's almost as if the Hadleys live before hobbies were invented. If you were to write this story today, Lydia could be making YouTube videos and writing a blog. Problem solved.
Quote #2
"That's just it. I feel like I don't belong here. The house is wife and mother now, and nursemaid. Can I compete with an African veldt?" (56)
If you're used to 1950s science fiction where robots threaten to kill people, this story can seem boring at first. There's no danger, right? It's just people feeling dissatisfied. But maybe Bradbury wants us to slowly ramp up, from "dissatisfied with role in life" to "eaten by virtual lions" (which is the natural end of all dissatisfaction).
Quote #3
"You look as if you didn't know what to do with yourself in this house, either. You smoke a little more every morning and drink a little more every afternoon and need a little more sedative every night." (58)
See, the 1950s isn't that different from the 2010s: unhappy people take drugs to deal with their unhappiness. It's funny that Lydia has to tell us this about George because he's too obtuse to even realize his own feelings. And note, too, that Lydia blames all their unhappiness on the house.