Harrison Bergeron

Harrison Bergeron: Sort story by Kurt VonnegutThis story by science-fiction writer Kurt Vonnegut is about a future world in which the government tries to make everyone equal. The strong must carry heavy weights, the beautiful must wear masks, and the clever are subjected to distracting sounds to stop them thinking clearly. As is usual in totalitarian worlds, those in power are excused from all this… especially the Handicapper General and her “H-G” men. A powerful, gifted fourteen-year-old boy tries to change things as his parents watch on in confusion. Themes: control (forced conformity through oppression and violence), identity (equality vs. individuality), rebellion, media power.

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The Veldt

The Veldt: short story by Ray BradburyIn this chilling story by Ray Bradbury, frantic parents who try to rein in their spoiled children by shutting down the hi-tech games room in their “HappyLife” home become a “HappyMeal”. Although written in 1950 to question the rising influence of television, the story serves as a warning to modern parents who let their children build their lives around social networking and/or game play. The story’s major theme is the alienation, dehumanization and breakdown of family values that can arise in a household through over-reliance on technology. Other themes include consumerism, poor parenting, illusion vs. reality, dystopia.

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Earthmen Bearing Gifts

Earthmen Bearing Gifts: Short story by Fredric BrownIn this sardonic science-fiction story by Fredrick Brown, the people of Mars are looking forward to their first visit from Earth. The planets have planned an exchange of gifts. Each civilization is more advanced in an important area of science. Martians have mastered the para-psychological sciences and can teach Earthmen how to avoid crime and war. The Earth is ahead in technology and the physical sciences. This could help the Martians restore their dying planet. Earth’s first “gift”, delivered in an unmanned spacecraft, is not what the Martians expected. Themes include scientific progress, communication and cooperation, trust, betrayal.

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Reunion

Reunion: Short story by Arthur C. ClarkeThis story by Arthur C. Clarke takes the form of a radio message from a group of aliens in an approaching spaceship, assuring the people of Earth that they have nothing to fear. The visitors claim to share a common ancestry with man, both being descended from an advanced race who colonized Earth during the time of the dinosaurs. Those who could fled when a genetic plague caused division, conflict and savagery among the population. They are returning with a cure for any who might still be affected. Themes include climate change, escape, reunification, evolutionary divergence, racism.

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Barney

Barney: Short story by Will StantonIt is hard to write an introduction to this Will Stanton story without giving the ending away. Like another of our featured stories, Flowers for Algernon, the plot involves a scientist conducting a bizarre experiment to increase the intelligence of a very special rat (in this case Barney). The major theme is the potential catastrophic effect of poorly controlled scientific experiments. Because Barney is humanized a little more than Algernon (he enjoys flipping through books in the library as opposed to simply running through mazes), a secondary theme is the ethics of animal testing. Other themes: deception, narrow-mindedness, revenge.

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Toy Shop

Toy Shop: Short story by Harry HarrisonIn this story by Harry Harrison, an Air Force scientist buys a trick rocket from a toy fair. A thin piece of string makes the rocket rise and fall, and he plans to entertain some other scientists with it at a poker party. At the party, the scientists discover that the trick only works in certain conditions. They are curious as to why, because it seems that the toy may break a basic law of physics. What they don’t know is that this is all part of a plan for them to help make someone else very rich.

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The Door in the Wall

The Door in the Wall: Short story by H. G. WellsThe major theme of this psychological fantasy by H. G. Wells is the conflict between reality (logic) and imagination. A precocious five-year old from a loveless household is permitted to walk the streets of London alone. One day he is drawn to a door that opens to an enchanted garden where he is greeted by tame animals and a beautiful, loving woman and plays with friendly children. Despite achieving great success in life, he becomes obsessed with re-visiting the garden. Other themes: childhood neglect, alienation and loneliness, escape, regret, obsession, success vs. happiness.

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Waldo

Waldo: Novella by Robert HeinleinIn this science fiction fantasy by Robert Heinlein, Earth needs help from “Waldo”, an eccentric genius born with degenerative muscle weakness. Angry at mankind after being cheated out of a ground-breaking invention, Waldo lives as a recluse in a gravity-free home in orbit above the planet. Earth’s problem is a series of physically impossible breakdowns in “deKalbs”, radiant power receptors used to power everything from vehicles to cities. With help from a little magic, he not only solves this but also makes three other important discoveries. Themes: identity, conquering disability, self-reliance and independence, science vs. “magic”.

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