If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth

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

If I Forget Thee, O Earth
by Arthur C. Clarke
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Genre(s)Science fiction
Published inFuture SF
PublisherColumbia Publications
Publication dateSeptember 1951

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'."[1]

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 drives him across the surface to see a glimpse of Earth, glowing with lethal radiation. Marvin recalls that Earth was made uninhabitable in a nuclear war. The colony is the last vestige of mankind, but without a goal to strive for, it will die. The ultimate purpose of the colony will be to one day reclaim a cleansed Earth, for which reason the space ships still stand waiting on the lunar plain. It took individual effort to save and maintain the colony, when it had almost failed, and to provide confidence that in the distant future the colony would restore mankind's cradle.

Marvin returns with his father to resume their exile, without looking back. However he realises that one day he will take his own children to view the dead Earth and give purpose to a further generation.

References
  1. Henniker-Heaton, Peter J. (August 20, 1959). "Individuals, Communities, and Stars". Christian Science Monitor.


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