Wednesday, 1 April 2020

Endings

We have discussed future histories and Latin in the works of Poul Anderson so which future history ends with a three-word phrase in Latin? No, it is not one of Anderson's. In fact, what is the appropriate way to end a future history?

"The laughter was somewhat of a victory."
-Poul Anderson, "Starfog" IN Anderson, Flandry's Legacy (Riverdale, NY, 2012), pp. 709-794 AT p. 794.

"...an aggressive order of religiously devoted men and women who will try out and establish and impose a new pattern of living upon our race.
"THE END."
-HG Wells, The Shape Of Things To Come (London, 1974), p. 493.

"For we shall make after all a fair conclusion to this brief music that is man."
-Olaf Stapledon, Last And First Men IN Stapledon, Last And First Men/Last Men In London (Harmondsworth, Middlesex, 1972), pp. 5-327 AT p. 327.

"'...the blind recollection of past light.'"
-Stapledon, Last Men In London IN op. cit., pp. 329-605 AT p. 605.

"...this brief effort of animalcules striving to win for their race some increase of lucidity before the ultimate darkness."
-Olaf Stapledon, Star Maker (Harmondsworth, Middlesex, 1972), p. 262.

"'...here's one monkey that's going to keep on climbing, and looking around him to see what he can see, as long as the tree holds out.'"
-Robert Heinlein, Methuselah's Children (London, 1966), p. 191.

"'...always Good Eating.'"
-Robert Heinlein, Orphans Of The Sky (London, 1965), p. 111.

"Creation began."
-James Blish, The Triumph Of Time IN Blish, Cities In Flight (London, 1981), pp. 467-596 AT p. 596.

"We who have already superseded you record these scenes now in your honour, as you once honoured man. REQUIESCAS IN PACE."
-Brian Aldiss, Galaxies Like Grains Of Sand (London, 1979), p. 188.

So which of these do we prefer?

1 comment:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

I'll begin with the ending I don't prefer: "...an aggressive order of religiously devoted men and women who will try out and establish and impose a new pattern of living upon our race," which you quoted from Wells. That strikes me as ruthless and brutal and totalitarian.

I prefer the endings suggested by Anderson and Heinlein.

Ad astra! Sean