# Knowledge and Ignorance in Short Fiction

> Theme guide for Short Fiction by Walter M. Miller Jr..

In 'It Takes a Thief,' the protagonist's stolen knowledge of ancient technology contrasts with a society that has regressed into ritualistic ignorance, emphasizing the fragility of wisdom and the danger of lost information.

## Where it surfaces

- [It Takes a Thief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/it-takes-a-thief): Asir's theft of ritual phrases gives him fragmented knowledge of Mars' dying condition and the ancients' technology, contrasting with the ignorance of the tribal council.
- [Check and Checkmate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/check-and-checkmate): Smith fears the Red's superior knowledge of Western language and technology, highlighting the asymmetry of intelligence.
- [The Ties That Bind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/the-ties-that-bind): Meikl contrasts the spacers' knowledge of war and destruction with the natives' ignorance of such concepts, highlighting the cultural amnesia of Earth.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/themes/knowledge_and_ignorance
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/themes