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Chapter 20
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in 2001: A Space Odyssey, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Collaboration vs. Individualism
Tools and Human Evolution
Space Travel
The Perils of Knowledge
Summary
Analysis
Frank’s family wishes him happy birthday over video. Because he is accustomed to instant communication, the hour delay is unsettling, and Poole feels he has moved into a “new dimension of remoteness.” Suddenly, Hal reports a potential failure with Discovery’s AE-35 unit, the unit responsible for maintaining contact with Earth. Hal suggests they replace it, and Bowman is disturbed to discover this means going outside the ship. Bowman reports the problem to Mission Control, who support Hal’s conclusion, but ask them to record a “reassuring” press release for the public. Bowman does this, explaining the importance of AE-35 in ensuring the ship’s radio antenna stays locked on Earth. He explains that Frank Poole will be performing the mission.
Floyd struggles with the hour-long delay in communication between Discovery and Earth. This is a testament both to the profoundly isolating experience of space travel, as well as the impact of modern technology on human society and psychology. Accustomed to near-instantaneous communication speeds, Floyd has been spoiled by the ability to contact anyone on Earth at any time, anywhere. His sense that he has moved to a “new dimension of remoteness” is just as much a feeling of technological withdrawal as it is about the literal millions of miles separating him from his family back on Earth.
Themes
