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Chapter 37
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
Speaking to Mission Control, Bowman describes the poor air conditions in the ship. He reports that the monolith—named TMA-2 by Mission Control—has not responded to any of his signals and is moving further away as a result of his orbital path. Accordingly, Bowman requests approval to go extravehicular while he still can and observe the object up close. For several weeks, the Star Gate has noted Discovery’s presence, ignoring its attempts to probe or communicate with it. However, sensing an object falling towards it from orbit, the Star Gate awakens its “slumbering powers.”
In this passage, the narrator examines two viewpoints on the same events. From Bowman's perspective, the monolith appears static and unresponsive, seemingly oblivious to his attempts to investigate it. On the other hand, from the perspective of the Star Gate, Bowman's presence, though notable, hasn't met the necessary criteria for activation. This emphasizes the breakdown in communication between these significantly different entities. Neither comprehends the functioning of the other, resulting in an inability to interpret each other's intentions fully.
Themes
