# Triplanetary — Themes

> Major themes in Triplanetary by E. E. Smith.

## Cosmic Conflict Between Good and Evil

The book depicts a vast, ancient struggle between the benevolent, mentally-powerful Arisians and the malevolent, parasitic Eddorians, with the fate of civilizations across galaxies hanging in the balance.

### Where it surfaces

- [Triplanetary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/triplanetary): The chapter establishes the overarching war between the Arisians (good) and Eddorians (evil), with Earth as a key battleground for the future of the universe.
- [Book I: Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/book-i-dawn): The chapter establishes the overarching war between Arisians and Eddorians for control of the universe.
- [I: Arisia and Eddore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/i-arisia-and-eddore): The chapter establishes the fundamental opposition between the Arisians, who seek to guide civilization peacefully, and the Eddorians, who crave domination and power.
- [The Fall of Atlantis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/ii-the-fall-of-atlantis): The Eddorians and Arisians are engaged in a fundamental struggle for control over the development of civilizations.
- [Eddore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/i-eddore): The Eddorians represent a malevolent force seeking to suppress free development, setting the stage for a cosmic struggle.
- [II: Arisia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/ii-arisia): The entire chapter centers on the irreconcilable conflict between Arisia and Eddore, with the Arisians planning a multi-millennial strategy to defeat the Eddorians through mental force.

## Guided Evolution and Eugenics

The Arisians secretly guide the development of intelligent races, manipulating bloodlines and encouraging specific matings to create a superior race capable of wielding the Lens and defeating the Eddorians.

### Where it surfaces

- [II: Arisia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/ii-arisia): The Arisians describe breeding blood lines, encouraging matings to concentrate strength, and steering races toward Lens-worthiness, explicitly practicing eugenics to create a future Guardian race.

## Hidden Manipulation of History

Both Arisians and Eddorians operate through disguised agents and forms of flesh to influence historical events, such as the fall of Atlantis and Nero's Rome, without revealing their true nature.

### Where it surfaces

- [Triplanetary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/triplanetary): Both Arisians and Eddorians secretly manipulate human history, guiding the rise and fall of civilizations and influencing key individuals to serve their respective plans.
- [Book I: Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/book-i-dawn): Both Arisians and Eddorians secretly guide human events, from Atlantis to Rome to modern wars.
- [I: Arisia and Eddore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/i-arisia-and-eddore): The Arisians deliberately erase the Eddorians' memory of their encounter and plan to secretly influence the development of life across galaxies to eventually defeat them.
- [The Fall of Atlantis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/ii-the-fall-of-atlantis): Both Eddorians and Arisians secretly guide the evolution and politics of planetary civilizations to serve their own ends.
- [Eddore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/i-eddore): The Eddorians secretly manipulate planetary civilizations to conform to their Great Plan, with Gharlane sent to restore order on Earth.
- [II: Arisia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/ii-arisia): The Arisians operate through indistinguishable native forms, conceal their existence from Eddore, and allow civilizations to fall as part of a secret plan, highlighting hidden manipulation.

## Sacrifice for the Greater Good

The Arisians allow entire civilizations to fall (e.g., Atlantis, Rome) as necessary steps in a long-term plan to ensure the ultimate triumph of Civilization, accepting short-term suffering for long-term victory.

### Where it surfaces

- [Atlantis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/iii-atlantis): Captain Phryges accepts a dangerous mission to prevent the destruction of civilization, embodying personal sacrifice for the survival of Atlantis and the world.
- [III: The Fall of Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/iii-the-fall-of-rome): Arisians allow Rome to fall, accepting suffering as necessary for the ultimate triumph of Civilization.
- [II: Arisia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/ii-arisia): The Arisians accept the suffering and fall of Rome as a necessary step toward the ultimate triumph of Civilization.
- [Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/iii-rome): Patroclus and the gladiators risk their lives in a plot to save Rome from Nero's tyranny.
- [Book II: The World War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/book-ii-the-world-war): Characters like Ralph Kinnison risk their lives in battle, embodying personal sacrifice for the future of humanity.
- [1918](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/iv-1918): Kinnison's determination to relay information to General Weatherby prioritizes the mission over his own survival.

## Mental vs. Physical Power

The narrative emphasizes that true power lies in mental force and psychic abilities, as the Arisians and the future Galactic Patrol must overcome the Eddorians through intellect and mind, not mere physical strength.

### Where it surfaces

- [Book III: Triplanetary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/book-iii-triplanetary): The chapter contrasts physical combat with strategic thinking, as characters rely on both wits and weaponry to survive.
- [VII: Pirates of Space](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/vii-pirates-of-space): Roger's psychological dominance and impenetrable force field demonstrate mental and technological superiority over physical resistance.
- [In Roger's Planetoid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/viii-in-roger-s-planetoid): Gharlane's mental powers are blocked by Arisians, forcing reliance on Roger's physical body; Costigan's physical prowess in weightless combat contrasts with Roger's shielded invulnerability.
- [The Hill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xiii-the-hill): The Nevians' ability to transform iron and harness atomic energy represents a form of mental mastery over physical matter, challenging Triplanetary's scientific understanding.
- [XV: Specimens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xv-specimens): Despite human physical and technological resistance, the Nevians' superior mental and scientific capabilities render the humans powerless.
- [Super-Ship in Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xvi-super-ship-in-action): Rodebush and Cleveland overcome severe physical and mental torture from inertialess travel through sheer willpower, highlighting the triumph of mind over body.

## Alien Otherness and Incomprehensibility

The Eddorians are portrayed as utterly alien beings from a different space-time, with a poisonous environment and a mechanistic, domineering mindset, contrasting sharply with humanoid and Earth-like Arisians.

### Where it surfaces

- [X: Within the Red Veil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/x-within-the-red-veil): The mutual horror and disgust between Terrestrials and Nevians, along with their inability to communicate, highlights the theme of alien otherness and the difficulty of cross-species understanding.
- [Nevian Strife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xi-nevian-strife): The deep-sea fish are depicted as intelligent beings waging war with advanced weapons, highlighting the incomprehensible nature of alien life.
- [Worm, Submarine, and Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xii-worm-submarine-and-freedom): The giant worm and the fish-like beings represent alien life forms with incomprehensible biology and technology, challenging the humans' understanding and survival.
- [XV: Specimens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xv-specimens): The Nevians' cold, analytical treatment of humans as specimens highlights the incomprehensible and alien perspective of a vastly different intelligence.
- [Roger Carries On](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xvii-roger-carries-on): The monstrous, repulsive life on the new planet and the Nevians' incomprehensible power illustrate alien otherness.
- [Giants Meet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xix-giants-meet): The Nevians are described as monstrous to humans and vice versa, yet both races find common ground through respect and negotiation.

## Cyclical Rise and Fall of Civilizations

The book explores the recurring pattern of civilizations rising and falling, such as Atlantis and Rome, often due to internal corruption, external manipulation, and the clash of opposing cosmic forces.

### Where it surfaces

- [The Fall of Atlantis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/ii-the-fall-of-atlantis): The chapter depicts the impending fall of Atlantis and other civilizations as part of a larger cosmic cycle.
- [III: The Fall of Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/iii-the-fall-of-rome): The chapter explicitly discusses the fall of Rome as a necessary phase in the cyclical pattern of civilization.
- [Eddore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/i-eddore): The conversation highlights the engineered destruction of Atlantis and the planned decline of Rome, illustrating the cyclical pattern of civilizations.
- [Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/iii-rome): The fall of Rome is depicted as a necessary step in the Arisian genetic program, emphasizing the cyclical nature of civilizations.

## Heroism and Personal Sacrifice

Characters like Conway Costigan and the gladiator Patroclus display personal bravery, resourcefulness, and willingness to risk their lives for loved ones or a cause, even against overwhelming odds.

### Where it surfaces

- [1918](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/iv-1918): Kinnison risks his life to deliver a vital message despite severe injuries, embodying personal sacrifice for the greater good.
- [1941](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/v-1941): Ralph's willingness to serve despite age, his dedication to uncovering the cause of Hinton's death, and his stand against corruption exemplify personal sacrifice and heroism.
- [Book III: Triplanetary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/book-iii-triplanetary): Costigan's actions in the face of pirate attacks highlight themes of bravery and self-sacrifice for the greater good of the Triplanetary League.
- [Worm, Submarine, and Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xii-worm-submarine-and-freedom): Costigan's calm leadership and willingness to risk himself to protect Clio and Bradley exemplify heroism under extreme pressure.

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