payment page
Study Tools
Overview
"The Last Question" by Isaac Asimov is one of the most famous short stories in science fiction
. It was originally published in 1956 in Science Fiction Quarterly magazine, and Asimov believed it was the best story he ever wrote. The plot spans trillions of years and features a fragmented narrative structure that focuses on the recurring question of whether or not entropy (referred to in the story as the “running-down of the universe”) is reversible. The question is asked across multiple generations, with readers witnessing conversations that span time and space, starting in the near future of 2061, and extending beyond humanity's existence. The story is not narrated by a character, and instead employs a third-person omniscient point of view. The text explores themes of entropy, humanity's inevitable decline, the pursuit of knowledge, and technology's potential to transcend human limits and outlive humanity.Read the full story summary, the full story analysis, and explanations of key quotes from “The Last Question.”
