Meanwhile the malnourished Morlocks are representative of the exploited worker class. The frivolous Elois represent the bourgeoisie, or the exploiter class. The divergence of the human species into Elois and Morlocks as depicted in the story is clear criticism of capitalism. A prominent example would be that of H.G Wells with his classic ” The Time Machine”. Several authors have experimented with the usage of science fiction as a means to reflect upon human condition. Laced with reflection on the human condition, is the genre of Social Science Fiction. Thus, the genre provides stories that become templates of the future.įlipped on its head, science fiction can also twist reality into a version that reflects upon our past, our present and the origin of our values, fears and principles. Science fiction work often provides the inspiration for what humanity strives for in science and technology.

A master of what is called “ Hard Science Fiction“, Asimov’s work is a part of fiction most relevant to human society and technology.Īs Clarke said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. Heinlein, is one of the three pillars of science fiction literature. This, coming on top of the darkness, is the major cause of the madness.Isaac Asimov, along with Arthur C. They are so convinced that their universe is tiny, with Lagash as its focal point, that suddenly seeing thousands of stars upsets their version of reality. (Perhaps the story’s Tunnel of Mystery is a metaphor for “tunnel vision”!) With six suns, the population have never experienced nightfall and therefore never seen a night sky. Other theories, including the existence of what cultists refer to as “stars”, are rejected out of hand. The available evidence leads them to conclude that the “end” will come as insane mobs burn up everything flammable in order to escape the darkness. The scientist’s hubris is an often overlooked theme of the story. Themes: science vs superstition (cultism), having the courage of one’s convictions, sensory deprivation, insanity, mob hysteria, scientific hubris. Hailed as one of the greatest Science Fiction stories ever written it tells how, in preparation for the potential end of their civilization, a group of forward-thinking scientists have created a safe place to store their world’s accumulated knowledge and hide a select group of “survivors”. As once described by Isaac Asimov himself, Nightfall (is) the tale of a world with eternal sun that is suddenly plunged into total darkness and utter madness.

Nightfall by Isaac Asimov