Challenge 714

In Space, No Exit

In Hannah Spencer’s “Dolly,” what are the stages of Craig’s delusion?
In Bill Prindle’s “Somewhere Beyond the Sea,” in what instances is Michael’s dialogue quoted? Where is it reported? In what way might the difference in style be significant?
In Allison Grayhurst’s “To Die for the Heart’s Illusions,” who might “she” be?
In Sameer Kulkarni’s “Distilled Letters”:
1. How do Gandhi’s and Tolstoy’s concerns become increasingly aggravating?
2. What anachronisms can you find in the correspondence?
In Scott D. Coon’s “The Workforce Drive”:
1. Frank wonders if anyone will listen to his story of slave labor in the mining colonies. Why might he be right to have doubts?
2. Why might the workers not be able to stage a revolt, such as that in Bill Kowaleski’s Living Standards?
3. Should the story be read as an allegory of today’s working conditions? In space, what work would be done by robots rather than humans? What problems are most likely to face human space colonies?
In Jonathan Pickering’s “The Land of Wires”:
1. In how many different ways is Asmund referred to other than by his name and “he”?
2. Does Asmund break his bow when he swings it at the one-eyed skull?
3. Why does Bodil fast during Asmund’s quest?
4. The animals’ cyborg nature makes them vulnerable to Asmund. Why might fully automated animals not evolve in the “land of wires”? What kind of mechanical life form might be most viable?
5. Asmund sees a cyborg behemoth. What is its function in the story? Does it have one?
6. Asmund’s people are literate. Can they be entirely confident that they will not repeat the mistakes that led to the mechanistic dystopia?

Responses welcome!