Last and First Men · Chapter
XIV: Neptune explained
The narrator shifts to a high-altitude perspective, covering the vast Neptunian epoch of human history.
What happens
The narrator shifts to a high-altitude perspective, covering the vast Neptunian epoch of human history. He describes the initial failure of the Ninth Men, who were ill-adapted to Neptune's harsh environment and degenerated into subhuman forms. Over hundreds of millions of years, life slowly re-emerged, and eventually the Fifteenth Men arose, making steady progress and creating the Sixteenth Men, who achieved telepathy and began to contemplate the liberation of the past.
Themes in this chapter
Human Nature and Evolution
The chapter traces the evolution of human species on Neptune, from the fragile Ninth Men to the advanced Sixteenth Men, highlighting the role of adaptation and progress.
Cosmic Indifference and Meaning
The narrator emphasizes the insignificance of humanity in the vastness of space and time, yet the Sixteenth Men seek meaning by attempting to liberate the past.
The Limits of Knowledge
Despite their advanced understanding, the Sixteenth Men are haunted by the mystery of existence and their own impotence in the face of the past's misery.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Provides a bird's-eye view of the Neptunian age, summarizing vast epochs and the rise of later human species.
- The Ninth Men
The first Neptunian species, a dwarf type poorly adapted to the planet's gravity and volcanic activity, eventually degenerating into subhuman forms.
- The Fifteenth Men
A later Neptunian species that made steady progress, abolishing five great evils and eventually designing the Sixteenth Men.
- The Sixteenth Men
A new species created by the Fifteenth Men, with telepathic abilities and improved sensory powers, who began to explore the past and contemplate a 'crusade to liberate the past.'
Key passages
“It was in desperate haste that the last Venerian men had designed and fashioned the new species for the colonization of Neptune.”
The Ninth Men were created hastily by the Venerians, leading to poor adaptation.
Highlights the flawed design of the Ninth Men.
“The Fifteenth Men first set themselves to abolish five great evils, namely, disease, suffocating toil, senility, misunderstanding, and ill-will.”
The Fifteenth Men aimed to eliminate five major societal ills.
Shows the progress made by later Neptunian species.
“They told themselves that the past was calling to them for help, and that somehow they must prepare a great 'crusade to liberate the past.'”
The Sixteenth Men felt compelled to help the suffering beings of the past.
Introduces the theme of temporal altruism.