Mughannam, Lambert, Pearson2

Sarah Mughannam
Tessa Lambert
Kayla Pearson
OConnor
Honors English 9
25 September 2015

If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth SIFT

Symbols:
1) the earth - human kindness, mistakes, culture
2) the stars - one of the many things he will never understand or experience
3) ...the glow of dying atoms was still visible, a perennial reminder of the ruinous
past. (Clarke, 489) - this quote symbolizes all of the reminders that earth is ruined and
destroyed

Imagery:
1) Utopia/dystopia (dystopia disguised as utopia)
2) Colonization (parallels to Columbus's New World, finding new home)
3) Science fiction environment, colonial

Figures of Speech:
1) He was looking upon the funeral pyre of a world-upon the radioactive aftermath
of Armageddon. (Clarke, 489) The author uses this metaphor to express the burning,
ruined earth by saying the earth is dead..

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2) It seemed so peaceful beneath those lines of marching cloud. (Clarke, 489)

These free clouds are used to contrast how Marvin feels in his trapped community. He
longs to be unrestrained.

Tone and Theme:

1) The tone is depressing throughout most of the story, however, at the end there is
some hope left of returning to earth..
2) The theme in the story is to keep moving forward and to hold on to the little hope
there might be. It is important not to dwell on the past and work with your current
situations.
3) There are also themes of hard work and labor, considering the work the colony
had to do to create a whole new world for themselves. With this hard work they are
hoping to reclaim their original home.

Questions:
1.) What historical events during the publication of this story might have inspired its
creation?
A historical event that might have inspired this story is the destruction of World War Two.
By the time this story was published the world was in a post-war mindset that inspired
many pieces of art and literature. The fact that the Earth in Marvins world led itself to
destruction was probably influenced by the events during its publication.

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2.) Why does Marvin keep bringing up the mountains that are being used as a symbol?
The reason why Marvin keeps bringing up the mountains which are being used as a
symbol is because his father created these oasiss that symbolizes their goals. The
mountains symbolize the goals that are conquered by Marvins father.
3.) Do you predict that Marvins future generations will be able to reclaim the Earth?
Yes, we believe that his generation will be able to reclaim the Earth. His society has been
able to survive out in space for so long. They have grown crops and accustomed to life
without Earth, so we believe they will be able to reclaim the Earth.
4.) What kind of influence does Marvins father have on him?
I think that Marvins father has a very good influence on him. Marvins father is a
independent successful man that is a great role model for Marvin. Marvins father also
sets a great example by creating many oasiss to accomplish his goals. Marvins father
is a perfect person to look up to and is perfect for Marvin.
5.) Do you believe that this situation could happen in the real world?
Yes, this situation could happen in the real world, if we continue to treat it in the careless
way that we are.
7.) What reason do you think the author wrote this story for?
The authors reason for writing this story was to warn us to change our bad habits, or we
will be forced to leave our own world.
8.) About how long do you think the Colony has been out in space? Explain.
I believe that the Colony has been out in space for at least two generations; Marvins
generation and his fathers. I believe this because when Marvins father told him the story
of how earth came to be, it seemed he knew so much because he lived it himself.

Mughannam, Lambert, Pearson2