'If I Forget Thee, O Earth . . .'

One of the most prominent themes in the story concerns coming of age. Marvin is 10 years old and therefore just on the cusp of adolescence. More importantly, his narrative arc involves his initiation into a more mature worldview—a “worldview” rendered quite literal through the symbolism of Earthrise. In this, Marvin’s story parallels that of humanity itself, which has also undergone a loss of innocence.

Coming-of-age stories typically involve a departure from the child’s normal state of life. At the beginning of the story, Marvin can already sense that something important is happening. He has never been to the upper levels of the lunar colony before, much less outside of it, and this creates in him a sense that something is about to change in his life: He feels “rising excitement” and “expectancy.” His observation of his father’s emotional tension also tells him that this is not just a pleasure trip. However, he struggles to grasp the meaning of his father’s behavior, viewing his own impression that they are running from something as “strange.” Similarly, Marvin considers passing through the Farmlands “fun.” Taken together, the two episodes highlight Marvin’s naivety: He approaches the excursion as a kind of adventure and has difficulty conceiving that anything could be seriously amiss.