Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in 2001: A Space Odyssey, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Collaboration vs. Individualism
Tools and Human Evolution
Space Travel
The Perils of Knowledge
Summary
Analysis
Like three million years before, unknown forces reshape the child’s mind while distracting it with lights. The weaver’s work is more practiced than before, but it is up to the child whether it will be allowed to join its “still-growing tapestry.” The walls around the room vanish, and the pod and spacesuit of what was formerly David Bowman burn up. The child decides to leave, though it knows it will never truly leave this place of rebirth. A monolith floats in front of the child, and the purpose of its geometric ratio of 1:4:9 suddenly becomes comprehensible. As the child thinks about the geometry, the world fades and the child sees a whole galaxy mapped out in its mind.
Despite Bowman’s transformation into the Star-Child, the weaver expresses uncertainty as to whether humanity will be allowed to join its “ever-growing tapestry.” This suggests that humanity is still in a kind of cosmic trial period, its future dependent on its behavior. Bowman’s transformation, in short, does not guarantee humanity’s salvation. Should it fail to overcome its shortcomings, humanity may be barred from entering the upper echelon of intelligent life.
Themes
The Star Child finds it can jump across space and time, but quickly becomes overwhelmed by its new powers and immortality. Then, comforted by unknown forces, the Star-Child’s panic subsides, remembering it is not alone. The child’s confidence returns, and it launches itself across the universe, traversing light-years instantaneously. The Milky Way dims like a “pale ghost” of its former “glory,” glory which he will return to someday. For now, the Star Child is back where he wants to be, the “space that men” call “real.”
Despite his transformation, Bowman, or the Star-Child, still experiences familiar human emotions like fear and loneliness. This suggests that, for all his new power and knowledge, something of Bowman’s original humanity persists. This is reinforced by his decision to return home; he may no longer be David Bowman, but he still feels a strong connection to Earth.
Themes
