Essay Questions

Is the novel a social commentary or a commentary on environmental issues?

The book was written long before the term environmental concern was even on mainstream society’s lips and the global flooding that ravages the earth is more the result of solar flares rather than pollution. Given that, the book is more a social commentary talking about how man is still it’s own worst enemy and that it might perhaps be best for man to step down the evolutionary ladder in order to mature a bit more as a species.

Why does Dr. Kierans steal a broken compass? What is the significance of that act to the story?

The theft of the compass is an act that is out of synch with Dr. Kieran’s character as he is described as a morally upright individual despite the current condition of the world; moreover the compass is broken, pointing south rather than north so beyond being obviously wrong it serves him no purpose to have stolen it either. The act of stealing the compass is therefore proof positive that he is no longer the rational scientist he once was. The compass’ malfunction also serves as a metaphor for his inexplicable desire to head south and metaphor symbolizing the end of conventional ways of doing things.

What does Beatrice Dahl represent?

Beatrice represents man’s inability to let go of trappings of the past, namely wealth and luxury items like jewelry and booze---things largely useless at this point in time. Despite this though Beatrice loves these things and is rarely seen without them. Her unusual predilection for pointless finery make her the in-novel embodiment of greed and materialism, cultural aspects of humanity that won’t seem to die out despite having gone through a global cataclysm.