The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov
"The End of Eternity" is a science fiction novel by Isaac Asimov that explores themes of time travel, love, and the complexities of societal control through a futuristic lens. The story follows Andrew Harlan, who becomes an "Eternal" at a young age and quickly rises through the ranks within a society that manipulates time to ensure a stable and controlled future. Assigned to the 482nd century, a vibrant and matriarchal era, Harlan encounters Noys Lambent, whose differing views challenge his beliefs and the foundational principles of Eternity.
As a Technician, Harlan is tasked with implementing changes to history for the greater good, but he faces skepticism and blame from his peers. The narrative intensifies as Harlan learns of a crucial historical event tied to the invention of time travel itself, which raises the stakes for both his duties and his relationship with Noys. The plot culminates in a pivotal decision where Harlan must choose between the safety of the established order and the passionate risk of love, leading to the dramatic conclusion that ultimately ends Eternity's reign and opens up new possibilities for humanity. The novel poses thought-provoking questions about the balance between order and freedom, making it a rich subject for exploration.
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Subject Terms
The End of Eternity
First published: 1955
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Science fiction—time travel
Time of work: 1938 to 111,394
Locale: Earth
The Plot
Andrew Harlan becomes an Eternal at the age of fifteen. He progresses through the ranks with impressive speed from Cub to Observer to Specialist. His career is thrown into crisis, however, when he is assigned to the 482d century. This period of history is hedonistic, materialistic, and matriarchal, in direct contrast to his own native 95th century, which is ascetic and sexually repressed. Far from his familiar homewhen, he meets and falls in love with Noys Lambent. She not only brings into question his own beliefs but also challenges the basic assumptions of all Eternity.
As a Technician, Harlan has the responsibility for making certain changes for the sake of the general good of history. Even though the nature of these changes is determined collectively by all the Eternals, the others blame Technicians for the negative side effects that accompany them. Harlan is able to withstand this prejudice fairly well because he is good at his specialty.
Harlan is the personal Technician assigned to Senior Computer Laban Twissell of the Allwhen Council. Unfortunately, Twissell himself is not popular with everyone, everywhen. Assistant Computer Hobbe Finge is Harlans direct supervisor in the 482d century, and Finge holds a grudge against Twissell for not promoting him quickly enough in the Eternal hierarchy. Harlan mistakes Finges animosity on account of his connection with Twissell for jealousy over Noys. For safety, he spirits his lover away to the far future, stashing her in the year 111,394.
Meanwhile, Harlan becomes more absorbed in his hobby, studying the history of the primitive period before Eternity was developed in the 27th century. For some reason, he is encouraged by Twissell in this direction and even assigned to teach a young Cub everything he knows about the subject. Finally, Twissell reveals that the Cub is none other than Vikkor Mallansohn, the inventor of the Temporal Field.
Mallansohn is being encouraged to learn about primitive history because he must be returned to the distant past to reenact his discovery. If this historical circle is not closed, Eternity will never be constructed in the first place. History would run wild without the benefit of the changes in reality continually being made by the Eternals. Their main fear is that atomic weapons will be allowed to come into existence too early and that humanity will destroy itself.
Noys Lambent has a different point of view. Her homewhen is a far, far future period that has independently developed its own form of time travel. She and her era want to terminate Eternity because it has frustrated all attempts to explore space. The adventurous spirit that might have destroyed Earth in a nuclear holocaust also would have made it possible to develop faster-than-light space travel. This lack of spirit means that humanity has not been able to take its place among the stars with other intelligent species.
Noys returns with Harlan to the primitive era ostensibly to help Mallansohn close the circle and preserve Eternity. By this time, Harlan has discovered her true origins and motives. With his blaster trained on Noys, Harlan is faced with a stark choice. On one side is the status quo, with the Eternal’s “perfecting”, through reality changes, an Earth that continues to shrink in spirit and creativity. On the other hand is his passion for Noys. On her side are the potential for both nuclear annihilation and unlimited exploration into the expanding universe. Harlan chooses love and renders changing history impossible. He takes the rest of humanity with him as he leaps onto the terrifying path of irrevocable action. Eternity ends, but infinity begins.
Bibliography
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