Final Examination by Robert Sheckley
The novel is a satirical exploration of the concept of free will and determinism. It follows the story of a man who undergoes a series of tests to determine his worthiness for a place in a utopian society. The tests are designed to assess his moral character, but they ultimately reveal the arbitrary nature of the society's values and the absurdity of its moral code.
By Robert Sheckley · First published 1958 · Genre: Science Fiction, Satire, Fantasy · 9,208 words
First lines
I suppose it started some time back, even before the astronomers discovered it, and certainly long before I found out. How far back I have no idea; thousands of years, perhaps, or more. But the first I knew about it was one March evening, when I opened the newspaper.
Jane was in the kitchen, cleaning up, and I was settled back in the easy chair, reading through the lead articles. I skimmed through all the war talk, price controls, suicides, murders, and then glanced through the rest of the paper. One small article in the back caught my eye.
What this Textopian page supports
Final Examination is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert Sheckley, dated 1958 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Robert Sheckley
- Date: 1958 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Satire, Fantasy, Dystopian, Literary Fiction
- Length: 9,208 words
- Structure: 1 section, 235 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Final Examination by Robert Sheckley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Final Examination?
- How does this novel by Robert Sheckley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The plot revolves around the mysterious disappearance of stars and a cosmic judgment day, typical of speculative and imaginative themes found in science fiction.
- Satire — The narrative critiques human behavior and societal norms, using humor and irony to highlight the absurdity of people's reactions to impending doom.
- Fantasy — Elements of the supernatural and otherworldly, such as the voice announcing judgment and the concept of a final examination, align with fantasy themes.
- Dystopian — The story explores a world on the brink of collapse, reflecting dystopian themes of societal breakdown and existential crisis.
Tags
Science Fiction · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Philosophy · Existentialism · Absurdism · Dystopia · Future Society · Alien Invasion · Government Control · Free Will