Isaac Asimov's The End Of Eternity

Literature often reflects the times and society in which it is written- whether purposefully or incidentally. Through history literature has exposed evils and injustices, influenced change in governments, and, on a smaller scale, changed the hearts and minds of individuals; it’s importance shouldn’t be underestimated. Of all genres, Science fiction has long been underrated by mainstream literature, disregarded as being fanciful and even unimportant. Because of science fiction’s speculative and fantastic nature, readers can fail to read between the lines and identify crucial themes hidden within a novel. Isaac Asimov’s “The End of Eternity” is not merely a fast moving, plot driven, ficticious novel written to entertain. “The End of Eternity” is a social …show more content…
Asimov examines issues involving gender and class, while suggesting the importance of the individual’s role in driving change and progress. Through use of dialogue, diction, style, and characterization, Asimov manipulates his readers to feel uncomfortable, hoping to leave them with a thirst for progress. Main character, Harlan, lives in Eternity- a hub outside of time used to travel to and alter human history. The purpose of eternity is to minimize human suffering by altering reality to avoid the worst of adversity and conflict- eradicating extremes such as war, body modification, and even scientific progress. Harlan, by way of a forbidden romance, discovers the secret of Eternity’s creation (or so he thinks) and must decide whether to complete reality’s circle, cementing Eternity into existence- or to let Eternity pass from existence with his love, Noÿs, at his side. “The End of Eternity” features only one woman with dialogue. While this is not unusual in itself, especially for “Golden Age” works of science fiction, the extremes