# Extinction and Legacy in Short Fiction

> Theme guide for Short Fiction by R. A. Lafferty.

The fear of human extinction and the effort to preserve knowledge for future beings is central in 'McGonigal’s Worm' and the Capsule Institute, exploring what remains when humanity is gone.

## Where it surfaces

- [McGonigal's Worm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_45_se/chapters/mcgonigal-s-worm): The central theme of the chapter: the sudden infertility of all chordates threatens human extinction, and the efforts to preserve knowledge and find a successor species highlight the struggle for legacy.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_45_se/chapters/iv): The blob prepares a final message to warn future travelers, seeking to leave a legacy despite his impending death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_45_se/themes/extinction_and_legacy
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_45_se/themes