Last and First Men · Chapter
Last and First Men explained
The opening chapter of 'Last and First Men' introduces the grand scope of the narrative, which spans the entire future history of humanity.
What happens
The opening chapter of 'Last and First Men' introduces the grand scope of the narrative, which spans the entire future history of humanity. It sets the stage for a story that will cover the rise and fall of many distinct human species over millions of years, from the First Men to the Last Men, and touches on themes of cosmic time, evolution, and the ultimate fate of the human race.
Themes in this chapter
Human Nature and Evolution
The chapter introduces the central theme of human evolution, emphasizing the transformation of human nature across vast epochs.
Immortality and Death
The narrative's scope, spanning the rise and fall of entire species, implicitly engages with the mortality of civilizations and the quest for permanence.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
The narrator sets the stage for the entire future history of humanity, speaking from a distant future perspective.
- The First Men
The First Men are the initial human species, whose story begins in the near future and whose evolution is the subject of the narrative.
- The Last Men
The Last Men are the final human species, whose distant future perspective frames the entire narrative.
Key passages
“Last and First Men A Story of the Near and Far Future”
The book's title announces its dual focus: the immediate future of humanity and the ultimate destiny of the species.
The title itself encapsulates the narrative's temporal scope.