The bottom-to-the-top direction in Bradbury’s description of Tyrannosaurus Rex is not accidental. This technique allowed Bradbury to convey the sheer awe and terror experienced by Eckels. The terrifying dinosaur towers over thirty feet above the trees (Bradbury, 1952). The time traveler cowers in fear as he sees the mighty legs in the mist — he desperately tries to avoid detection. Eckels is insignificant and pathetic in front of the predator; the T-Rex is capable of killing any human in a few seconds. Overall, Bradbury’s description makes shock, intensity, and horror of the moment almost tangible.
The description of Romero’s house by the narrator of Romero’s Shirt is not as exciting as an image of the monstrous T-Rex. However, given the difference in genres and situations, one can argue that such a dry, relatively simple style suits its purpose well. Gilb provides the reader with an incredible amount of details as if he gives them a tour that starts right from the street. Most importantly, the reader sees the colors of decay — old white paint, tall weeds with yellow flowers, dead, dried-out oak trees (Gilb, 2014). As a result, one can feel an atmosphere of a struggling modest household in a blistering hot Texan town.
In my opinion, both descriptions can serve as fine examples of how a talented author sets the stage for the story’s progression. As a matter of preference, I enjoyed Bradbury’s description a bit more. I could relate to a visceral feeling of horror as the T-Rex emerged from the mist in all its monstrous, deadly power. I felt a sense of suspense as if the events were about to take a dramatic turn for the worse. Gilb composed a solid description; however, it did not evoke strong emotions in my mind.
References
Bradbury, R. (1952). A sound of thunder. Doubleday.
Gilb, D. (2014). Romero’s shirt. In M. Meyer (Ed.), Literature to go (2nd ed, pp. 218-223). Bedford/St. Martin’s.