The wall around the world

The wall around the world

By Theodore Cogswell, first published in 1953

Genre:

Science fiction, a short story

Summary:

Porgie was a typical 13 year old boy who was curious and determined about the things normal kids his age would not. Kids his age were eager to learn more about magic and flying their broomsticks and getting better results in school but Porgie was more interested in crossing that wall around the world which was a prohibited issue to even mention.

Review:

This is a well-paced and reader-friendly piece of short story that is both exciting and easy to follow. I especially like how the theme is easy to grasp and leaves a lot of space for the readers to ponder upon.

Curiosity is always a virtue, right? What happens when you are no longer allowed to be curious or to ask questions? In this story, there’s a big tall wall surrounding the whole world, but no magic and no broomstick in the world will be able to cross that height. Yet, no one is allowed to ask questions about the wall and no one is supposed to conjure up anything to cross that wall. But, what is beyond that wall? What is behind that thick tall wall; another world or just a hopeless black nothingness?

If I were in that world, I would definitely be just another normal and law-abiding citizen who does her part and try to excel at that and maybe just that. I will put in effort in school, have plenty of friends and have a good job after that. Then I would get married and have children and grow old and maybe, only maybe then, I would wonder to myself, what is beyond that wall? But that’s just that; I would not be adventurous and take action or be angry with myself because I could not come up with a sensible answer. Or I would simply dismiss that matter and worry about things more important to myself: my children, my osteoporosis or my penchant money. Ah, and I would die thinking that I am already satisfied with my life.

Life that comes with the juicy twist is the life where you are willing to take risks and allow yourself to be passionate. As difficult as it sounds, it is as easy a matter if you would just do it.

If you like “The wall around the world” you would also enjoy “City of ember” a 2008 film adaptation of the post-apocalyptic novel by Jeanne DuPrau.

The film.

The book.