A Pessimistic Outlook Arthur C. Clarke allows for many interpretations of the meanings of his two works Childhood’s End and 2001: A Space Odyssey. One debate that surfaces from these pieces is whether Clarke is offering an optimistic or pessimistic point of view regarding humanity. The literary pieces contain many similarities that allow for a generalization about Clarke’s overall message to be made. Ultimately, Clarke provides a pessimistic essence to be drawn from both pieces. Clarke’s pessimistic view can first be drawn from Childhood’s End. In the novel, a powerful species called the Overmind imposes competence and rule over the human race. They have a drastic effect on the world, like impacting religion, war, and poverty. While basically
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This literary piece includes an especially important entity, similar to the Overlords, called a monolith. The monolith is shown as an entry to evolution. As the humans evolve, the monolith is assumed to be the pathway to developments such as technology, power, and other important factors that humans have contributed to mankind. During a space mission, Clarke creates a very monotonous atmosphere to foreshadow lack of development, much like he did in Childhood’s End. The humans aboard the spaceship show lack of individuality as well. They rely on technology to do many tasks for them, like make food, guide the ship, and produce orders. As malfunctions arise, Clarke presents an even more pessimistic view on humanity. Technology takes over and overrides the functions of the ship. Hal, the computer on board that controls the ship, becomes a higher power over the humans. He sets out to destroy the humans on board. Clarke includes this in order to show how powerful technology has become. This is important in realizing how humans have no further development available since they are relying so much on technology. They have become bored and show no hope for improvement. In the end of the piece, Clarke describes an evolution of mankind that is similar to Childhood’s End. The main character, David, who outsmarts Hal and destroys the computer, is shown evolving through the monolith. Eventually, David
This literary piece includes an especially important entity, similar to the Overlords, called a monolith. The monolith is shown as an entry to evolution. As the humans evolve, the monolith is assumed to be the pathway to developments such as technology, power, and other important factors that humans have contributed to mankind. During a space mission, Clarke creates a very monotonous atmosphere to foreshadow lack of development, much like he did in Childhood’s End. The humans aboard the spaceship show lack of individuality as well. They rely on technology to do many tasks for them, like make food, guide the ship, and produce orders. As malfunctions arise, Clarke presents an even more pessimistic view on humanity. Technology takes over and overrides the functions of the ship. Hal, the computer on board that controls the ship, becomes a higher power over the humans. He sets out to destroy the humans on board. Clarke includes this in order to show how powerful technology has become. This is important in realizing how humans have no further development available since they are relying so much on technology. They have become bored and show no hope for improvement. In the end of the piece, Clarke describes an evolution of mankind that is similar to Childhood’s End. The main character, David, who outsmarts Hal and destroys the computer, is shown evolving through the monolith. Eventually, David