Introduction to Childhood’s End

Myth to Science Fiction

November 12, 2008

About Arthur C. Clarke (Dec.16 1917-March 19, 2008)

UK writer (sci-fi) Joined the British

Interplanetary Society. RAF officer during World

War II (inventor of communication satellite)

A member of several scientific organizations

More about the author

Eldest of 4 children Age 13 constructed his

first telescope. Age 14, father died. 1948-King’s College,

London with honors. 1956-stayed in Sri Lanka Won many awards for his

science fiction. Died of post-polio

syndrome.

About the novel

Printed in over 30 languages Begins with the fear that the

Russians and the Americans may use their atomic rockets on each other.

Central Themes:-“Spiritual” rebirth and the search for man’s place in the universe.

-Question the meaning of life.-Question religion and science-Question about knowledge, technology, and power.-Utopian Society

The Culture of 1950’s

Entertainment: TV: 1956 studies show that kids ages 10-16 watched

television; average of 6 hours a day. “I Love Lucy,” “Lassie,” “Mickey Mouse Club,” etc

Music: Rock and Roll. Young vs. Old. Elvis Presley

1950’s Technology

TelevisionFirst copy machine1954 Bell Telephone produce solar battery1957 Sputnik 1 4 months later U.S launch a smaller

satellite

Civil Rights

African Americans were not treated fairly Schools were dirty and had little supplies. 1954- segregation was abolished.

The Cold War & Korean War

The Cold War After WWII: diplomatic

struggle and mutual suspicion between the U.S. and a group of nations led by the Soviet Union.

U.S fear of Communism

The Korean War By-product of the Cold

War 1950-Communist N.

Korea invaded S. Korea; President Truman sent the American military into action.

Upcoming Projects (due Week 12)

1950’s technologyDisneylandArea 51String theoryRacial memorySpace programUFO’sSci-fi movie craze

Quiz Time!

1. Who was the RAF officer during World War II?2. How did the author died? And when?3. Childhood’s End was printed over ___ languages.4. Name at least 2 of the central themes in the novel.5. During the 1950s, kids watched TV on an average of

how many hours a day?6. When Sputnik was built, how much did it weigh?7. True or False: Right after segregation was abolished,

everybody was treated fairly during the 1950s.8. What is the Cold War? 9. Who was Joseph Stalin? 10. When is your projects due?

Answers

1. Arthur C. Clarke2. Died of post-polio syndrome; March 19 2008.3. Printed over 60 languages.4. -Spiritual” rebirth

-meaning of life.-religion and science-knowledge, technology, and power.-Utopian Society

5. They watched an average of 6 hours a day.6. Sputnik weighed 184 pounds.7. False8. Cold War: state of conflict between the US and the USSR. 9. Ruler of the USSR. 10. Project due on Week 12 (Wednesday)

References:

Liukkonen, Petri, and Ari Pesonen. “Arthur Charles Clarke”. Books and Writers. 2003. 10 Nov. 2008 <http://kirjasto.sci.fi/aclarke.htm>.

“1950’s.” A Century in Review. Nov. 1999. 10 Nov. 2008. <http://www.kidsnewsroom.org/elmer/infoCentral/frameset/decade/1950.htm>.