What can we learn from history?

That we don’t learn from history.

Why is this a science fiction classic?

Humanity can survive the worst catastrophe, rebuild, and endlessly repeat the same mistakesIt asks questions of its reader that are not easy or comfortable to think aboutWhat is the dark side of technology?That there is no guarantee that knowledge will be well used, even if preserved by good men

Part I:Is there hope for humanity?

Yes, when the first book ends, the monks are dedicated to preserving knowledge in the hopes that it will someday benefit someoneThey faced constant danger in doing so. Why?Tension between those who would preserve knowledge and those who would destroy it

Part I: Societal Structure

Nomadic existence for society in TexarcanaNew Rome (somewhere in the western US)The Monastery is in the middle of the desertThe Pope’s Children, bands of genetically disfigured humans, roam the desert

Part II: Hope Turns to Triumph

Tension between those who preserve knowledge and those who would use itIn the end, the abbey is recognized as the true source of ancient knowledgeThe scientist, Thon Taddeo, gains knowledge from this sourceBut it is a pyrrhic victory

Part II: Societal Structure

Mayor Hannigan of Texarcana tries to unite all of N. America

No moral consideration for various factions

Only the desire to play one power off of another

Part III: Increased Tensions

The monks have remained consistent throughout the work as a kind of moral compassBut the invention of nuclear weapons causes mass destructionWill the new colony near Alpha Centuri repeat the mistakes again?

Part III: Societal Structure

The history of superpowers repeats itself

US faces off against another world superpower

Devastation occurs

What did the scientist say to the monk?

“How can a great and wise civilization have destroyed itself so completely?“Perhaps” says the monk, “by being materially great and materially wise and nothing else.”

But is there another hope?

Yes, if you look closely at the book’s messageThere are people in the book who do not simply restrict themselves to the search for money and powerIf you put things in proper perspective, then all will be well

The End

Who is Rachel?

Why does she resist baptism?

We don’t know if she represents human salvation

Summary

What has not changed in the future?

There is still racism, poverty, illness, etc.

What is the price of civilization?

War is one of the consequences