If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth

Infobox short story

name = If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth
author = Arthur C. Clarke
country = United Kingdom
language = English
genre = Science fiction
published_in = Future
publication_type =
publisher =
media_type =
pub_date = September 1951

"If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth" is a short story written by Arthur C. Clarke and first published in 1951 in the magazine "Future". It was subsequently published as part of a short story collection in "Expedition to Earth" in 1953. The title is taken from Psalm 137:5 — "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem" — which consists of the writer lamenting over his exile from Israel by God. The themes in the story exploit the anxieties prevalent at the time regarding nuclear warfare.

The work was well received. Christian Science Monitor reviewer Peter J. Henniker-Heaton wrote: "I do not know of any short story that has moved me more than Arthur C. Clarke's "If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth." [ [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/275384102.html?dids=275384102:275384102&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Aug+20%2C+1959&author=By+Peter+J.+Henniker-Heaton&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor&desc=Individuals%2C+Communities%2C+and+Stars&pqatl=google "Individuals, Communities, and Stars" Christian Science Monitor] By Peter J. Henniker-Heaton, Aug 20, 1959. ]

Plot summary

"If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth" is the story of Marvin, a child who lives in a lunar colony. One day, his father (who is also the head scientist) drives him across the surface to see a glimpse of Earth, glowing with lethal radiation. The father tells Marvin that Earth was destroyed in a nuclear war. The colony is the last vestige of mankind, but without a goal to strive for, the colony (and mankind) will die. The ultimate goal of the colony will be to one day reclaim Earth, even if they have to wait countless generations. Marvin is deeply moved and realizes that "he" will tell the sad tale to his son, and his son to Marvin's grand-son, until Earth is finally inhabited once again.

Clarke's short story is a work of post-apocalyptic fiction written to speak out against the Cold War and the destruction of the environment.

References