A Canticle for Leibowitz

1. A Canticle for Leibowitz Life after nuclear war can be an exciting adventure

2. The Setting • America following a nuclear war • At that time, science fiction writers would refer to this kind of setting as “post-holocaust” • Pre-war knowledge is gathered and preserved by the Catholic church

3. The three sections • Fiat Homo = “Let there be man” • Fiat Lux = “Let there be light” • Fiat Voluntas Tua = “Thy Will Be Done”

4. Context for Leibowitz • Written at a time when there was a concern over nuclear war (1959) • Setting is a post-nuclear world • Knowledge is preserved, but not fully understood

5. Key Themes • Things that once were culturally relevant are now archaic, ceremonial and no longer fully understood by everyone • Examples: Latin references, the shopping list, etc. • Book becomes its own metaphor

6. Key Themes • In a post-apocalyptic world, communication breaks down • Communities live in isolation • People live without understanding technology

7. Futility of the present • People spend time doing jobs they do not understand • Fear that humanity may not have learned the lessons of the past • Does humankind have the ability to survive the worst?

8. Religion • After the decline of the Roman Empire, monks kept knowledge alive • Novel plays upon that idea, with main characters who are custodians of manuscripts • But the characters do not understand much of what they preserve

9. Brother Frances • His character is based on the life of a monk in Medieval times • Updated to reflect post-apocalyptic world • Science is in its infancy in his world

10. An ancient “artifact” (p. 26) • “He handled the papers as he might handle holy things” • A shopping list • “Pound pastrami, can kraut, six bagels – bring home for Emma.”

11. Summary • As you read “Canticle” think about whether or not the novel allows for hope for humanity • Also consider the rate of progess. How far does science advance? • What role does history play in this work?