# The Polite People of Pudibundia explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by R. A. Lafferty.

## What happens

Marlow learns about the extraordinarily polite alien species known as the Puds from a briefing officer, who explains their customs of never looking directly at others, using color-coded glasses, and speaking in elaborate circumlocutions. Marlow, a homicide captain, reveals he is investigating why no old pilots return from Pudibundia. Upon visiting, Marlow is hosted by the One-Million-Times-Lesser-Marlow, who gives him a deferential ball to maintain politeness. Marlow explores the planet's nightlife with Mitzi, who hints that he will not return. In a final meeting, Marlow demands to see OMTLM's eyes, believing the answer lies there.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Politeness and Repression

The Puds' elaborate politeness—using color-coded glasses, circumlocutions, and deferential balls—masks a system of control and hidden violence, as Marlow suspects it covers up murders.

### Knowledge and Its Limits

Marlow struggles to uncover the truth about Pudibundia despite the Puds' seeming openness, highlighting the limits of understanding when faced with an alien culture.

## Character check-ins

### Marlow

A homicide captain investigating the disappearance of pilots who visited Pudibundia; he experiences the Puds' extreme politeness firsthand.

### Mitzi

A Pudibundian who shows Marlow the nightlife and hints that he will not be allowed to return.

## Key lines

> They say the people there are very polite.

The inhabitants are known for their extreme politeness.

_Marlow's initial understatement about the Puds._

> None of the Puds, you see, may ever gaze directly on another. That would be the height of impoliteness.

Direct eye contact is considered the ultimate rudeness among the Puds.

_Explains the Puds' use of colored goggles._

> But they are not really people. They are metamorphics. They become people only out of politeness.

The Puds are shape-shifters who take human form as a courtesy.

_Reveals the true nature of the Puds._

> What in gehenna is a captain in Homicide on the Solar Police Force going to Pudibundia about?

Why is a homicide detective visiting such a polite planet?

_The officer questions Marlow's purpose._

> What I am going to find out is why there are no old pilots around telling those stories.

Marlow suspects the Puds are responsible for the deaths of previous visitors.

_Marlow's mission to uncover the fate of earlier pilots._

> When you leave, you will not return here, or anywhere else.

Mitzi warns Marlow that he will be killed after his visit.

_A hint that the Puds eliminate visitors._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_45_se/chapters/the-polite-people-of-pudibundia
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_45_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_45_se/chapters