Once again, this underlines the total lack of understanding each other when it comes to religion and science.
On their way away from the monastery, Chuck and George were discussing whether the monks would smash up the computer in their rage and disappointment. Ironically, a moment later the stars were going out. It was really the end of the universe. “Overhead, without any fuss; the stars were going out.”
This is the last line. Things in the sky such as stars, the sun and the moon are in many religions considered to be Gods or something divine. After God’s purpose was achieved, God himself would end the universe and disappear since the human race would have finished what it was created for. The last thing the two engineers see is that the stars are going out. Therefore, it could be a symbol for God has now left mankind …show more content…
The interpretation of this short story is that it is the unending battle between science and religion. At that time in 1953, the first computers came up to the surface and started to revolutionize data processing. These computer technicians looked down upon these backward and simple lamas. And in the end the irony hits us more than ever, including the science world. These primitive and silly – according to the science world –lamas turned out to be correct about their end of the universe. And worse is that it is actually the technology that helps this mysticism achieve its goal. Maybe Arthur C. Clarkes intention with this short story is to tell people that instead of having this unending fight between science and religion, they should cooperate instead. Just look at the monks. Look how they used science to achieve their religious