The One and the Many
In a world divided between two factions, Pluralists and Onists, the narrative follows a Pluralist named Jak who is captured during a raid on an Onist outpost. The Pluralists believe in multiple Makers, while the Onists adhere to the belief in a single Maker. Jak's initial disdain for the Onists is challenged when he meets Nari, a young Onist woman who engages him in spirited debates about their differing beliefs. As Jak is held captive, he experiences a mix of hostility and curiosity towards his captors. Nari, who is tasked with looking after him, becomes a source of unexpected companionship. Their interactions oscillate between conflict and attraction, culminating in a kiss that complicates Jak's feelings towards the Onists. Despite their ideological differences, a bond forms between them, highlighting the human capacity for connection beyond cultural divides. Jak is eventually taken to a larger Onist village, where he encounters a statue of the Maker, a significant symbol for the Onists. An elder Onist, Nari's father, attempts to convince Jak of the singularity of the Maker based on the existence of the statue. Jak counters with logical arguments, asserting that the presence of a single statue does not negate the existence of multiple Makers. Their debate reflects the broader conflict between their peoples, rooted in deeply held beliefs. As Jak prepares to return to his own people, he finds Nari again, who has followed him with a travel bag, indicating her desire to join him. Their farewell is bittersweet, filled with promises of love despite their conflicting ideologies. Jak expresses his intention to marry Nari, suggesting that love may bridge the gap between their warring factions. The story concludes with Jak and Nari continuing their debates on the journey home, embodying the struggle between their beliefs. Their relationship symbolizes the potential for understanding and reconciliation, even amidst the backdrop of a longstanding conflict. The narrative ultimately explores themes of love, belief, and the possibility of unity in a divided world.
By Stephen Marlowe · First published 1970 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure · 2,888 words
First lines
_Only One Question Is Eternal -- What Lies Beyond the Ultimate? _
There are some who tell me it is a foolish war we fight. My brother told me that, for one, back in the Sunset Country. But then, my brother is lame and good for nothing but drawing pictures of the stars. He connects them with lines, like a child's puzzle, and so makes star-pictures. He has fish stars, archer stars, hunter stars. That, I would say, is what is foolish.
What this Textopian page supports
The One and the Many is listed on Textopian as a short story by Stephen Marlowe, dated 1970 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Stephen Marlowe
- Date: 1970 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 2,888 words
- Structure: 1 section, 68 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The One and the Many by Stephen Marlowe
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The One and the Many?
- How does this short story by Stephen Marlowe fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- World Without Glamor by Stephen Marlowe
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores themes of belief systems, identity, and the nature of existence through a speculative lens, characteristic of science fiction.
- Fantasy — The story includes elements of mythical beliefs and a fictional world with distinct cultures, aligning it with fantasy.
- Adventure — The protagonist's journey involves conflict, capture, and exploration of new territories, typical of adventure narratives.
- Romance — The relationship between Jak and Nari introduces romantic elements, focusing on love across cultural divides.
Tags
philosophy · identity · individualism · collectivism · existentialism · society · human nature · conflict · unity · diversity · narrative · character development