Death and the Senator
Encyclopedia
"Death and the Senator" is a science fiction
short story
by Arthur C. Clarke
. It was originally published in 1960 and has since been included in several collections of Clarke's writings.
and potential Presidential candidate. As a member of a Senate committee, he has used his influence and rhetoric to refuse funding for an astrobiology
project.
Some years later, he learns that he has a potentially fatal cardiac condition. Thereupon, he hears from one of the space scientists, whose project he helped to kill, that the USSR is experimenting with medical treatment under zero gravity conditions in a space station
in Earth orbit. Although Steelman is offered a place on the treatment programme, which is highly experimental, he gives it up on seeing a young couple also waiting to be treated.
Back in Washington, D.C.
, he spends a few last quiet months with his family members, for which he had always been too busy with politics, and finds happines in the role of a loving grandfather. While sitting on a bench and contemplating his fate, death comes quietly to him.
The title "Death and the Senator", like the more well known "Death and the Maiden
" and various other "Death and the..." titles is ultimately derived from the Medieval "Dance of Death". In this context, Medieval depictions of "Death and the Emperor" or "Death and the Pope" were meant to make people reflect on the fact that however powerful and highly placed, all are mortal and all must reflect on what they do with their life. Obviously, Clark intended much the same message in a modern context.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Arthur C. Clarke
Arthur C. Clarke
Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, CBE, FRAS was a British science fiction author, inventor, and futurist, famous for his short stories and novels, among them 2001: A Space Odyssey, and as a host and commentator in the British television series Mysterious World. For many years, Robert A. Heinlein,...
. It was originally published in 1960 and has since been included in several collections of Clarke's writings.
Plot summary
Set in an unspecified year, but a few years before 1976, the story tells of Martin Steelman, an American SenatorUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
and potential Presidential candidate. As a member of a Senate committee, he has used his influence and rhetoric to refuse funding for an astrobiology
Astrobiology
Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. This interdisciplinary field encompasses the search for habitable environments in our Solar System and habitable planets outside our Solar System, the search for evidence of prebiotic chemistry,...
project.
Some years later, he learns that he has a potentially fatal cardiac condition. Thereupon, he hears from one of the space scientists, whose project he helped to kill, that the USSR is experimenting with medical treatment under zero gravity conditions in a space station
Space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
in Earth orbit. Although Steelman is offered a place on the treatment programme, which is highly experimental, he gives it up on seeing a young couple also waiting to be treated.
Back in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, he spends a few last quiet months with his family members, for which he had always been too busy with politics, and finds happines in the role of a loving grandfather. While sitting on a bench and contemplating his fate, death comes quietly to him.
The title "Death and the Senator", like the more well known "Death and the Maiden
Death and the Maiden
Death and the Maiden, a concept ultimately derived from the Medieval "Dance of Death", may refer to:In art:* Death and the Maiden , born of Renaissance art* Death and the Maiden , by Hans Baldung...
" and various other "Death and the..." titles is ultimately derived from the Medieval "Dance of Death". In this context, Medieval depictions of "Death and the Emperor" or "Death and the Pope" were meant to make people reflect on the fact that however powerful and highly placed, all are mortal and all must reflect on what they do with their life. Obviously, Clark intended much the same message in a modern context.