The Man in Asbestos - An Allegory of the Future
The Man in Asbestos is a science fiction allegory written by Stephen Leacock in 1912. It tells the story of a man who is born in a future world where the air is so polluted that he is forced to wear a suit of asbestos to protect himself from the toxic environment. He is an outcast, unable to interact with the other people in his world, and he is forced to wander the streets alone. The man eventually discovers a secret underground city, where he finds a utopian society that is free from the pollution of the outside world. He is welcomed into the city and is able to live a peaceful life, but he is still haunted by the memories of the polluted world he left behind. The Man in Asbestos is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked industrialization and pollution. It serves as a warning to readers to be mindful of the environment and to take steps to protect it before it is too late.
By Stephen Leacock · First published 1920 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Satire · 4,168 words
First lines
To begin with let me admit that I did it on purpose. Perhaps it was partly from jealousy.
It seemed unfair that other writers should be able at will to drop into a sleep of four or five hundred years, and to plunge head first into a distant future and be a witness of its marvels.
What this Textopian page supports
The Man in Asbestos - An Allegory of the Future is listed on Textopian as a novella by Stephen Leacock, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Stephen Leacock
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Satire, Literary Fiction
- Length: 4,168 words
- Structure: 1 section, 133 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Man in Asbestos - An Allegory of the Future by Stephen Leacock
- 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 The Man in Asbestos - An Allegory of the Future?
- How does this novella by Stephen Leacock fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Shadows Of The Coming Race by George Eliot
- A Voyage To The Moon by Cyrano De Bergerac
- The World Of The Crystal Cities by George Griffith
- The Snail Telegraph by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Turk And The Futurists by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Science Fiction — The title of the book suggests a futuristic setting, and the use of allegory implies a speculative narrative.
- Fantasy — The use of allegory implies a narrative that is not necessarily rooted in reality.
- Satire — Stephen Leacock is known for his satirical writing, and the title of the book implies a humorous tone.
- Literary Fiction — Stephen Leacock is a renowned literary author, and the use of allegory implies a narrative with literary merit.
Tags
allegory · future · satire · society · technology · human condition · philosophy · dystopia · humor · critique · narrative · imagination