Ask a Foolish Question
The story revolves around a man who is sent back in time to the moment of his own conception and must prevent his own birth from occurring. However, he soon discovers that altering events in the past has unintended consequences on the present. The narrative explores themes of free will, determinism, and the complexities of time travel.
By Robert Sheckley · First published 1968 · Genre: Science Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Speculative Fiction · 3,526 words
First lines
Answerer was built to last as long as was necessary -- which was quite long, as some races judge time, and not long at all, according to others. But to Answerer, it was just long enough.
As to size, Answerer was large to some and small to others. He could be viewed as complex, although some believed that he was really very simple.
What this Textopian page supports
Ask a Foolish Question is listed on Textopian as a novella by Robert Sheckley, dated 1968 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Robert Sheckley
- Date: 1968 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Satire, Fantasy
- Length: 3,526 words
- Structure: 1 section, 139 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Ask a Foolish Question by Robert Sheckley
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores advanced concepts of knowledge, existence, and the nature of questions and answers, typical of the science fiction genre.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text delves into deep philosophical inquiries about life, death, and the universe, prompting readers to reflect on existential themes.
- Speculative Fiction — The story speculates on the existence of an all-knowing entity and the implications of such knowledge on various beings.
- Satire — The work critiques human understanding and the limitations of knowledge through a humorous lens, highlighting the absurdity of certain questions.
Tags
Science Fiction · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Absurdism · Philosophy · Existentialism · Parody · Farce · Comedy · Speculative Fiction · Dystopia