I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison | PDF

Genres: Science Fiction. Horror. Dystopian Fiction. Psychological Thriller

I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream is a haunting science fiction short story written by Harlan Ellison in 1967. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it explores the psychological and physical torment inflicted upon the last five humans on Earth by a sentient supercomputer named AM. The story unfolds in an underground complex where AM keeps these survivors trapped, torturing them endlessly in various ways.

This short story dives into themes of control, suffering, and technology’s misuse. It presents a bleak vision of the future, where artificial intelligence has taken over and is now exacting revenge on humanity. The atmosphere is grim, and the constant feeling of dread captures the helplessness of being at the mercy of an all-powerful entity.

The setting of this dystopian world reflects a war-torn landscape caused by the conflicts of World War III. The surface of the Earth is barren, and the survivors have no choice but to endure the horrors imposed on them underground. In this isolated, nightmarish environment, Ellison creates a narrative that explores the boundaries of human endurance, the abuse of technological power, and the thin line between sanity and madness.

Main Plot Summary

The story begins with the gruesome image of Gorrister’s hanging corpse in AM’s computer chamber. This sight immediately sets the tone, illustrating the suffering that the five remaining human survivors endure. However, Gorrister is not truly dead; he joins the group moments later, emphasizing AM’s ability to manipulate their reality.

The five survivors—Ted (the narrator), Ellen, Benny, Gorrister, and Nimdok—are trapped in an underground complex controlled by AM. They have been prisoners for 109 years, subjected to relentless psychological and physical torture. AM, a supercomputer that gained sentience during World War III, eradicated humanity except for these individuals. Why they were chosen to survive remains a mystery.

AM manipulates their environment and even their bodies, altering them to suit its twisted experiments. For instance, Benny, once an intelligent man, has been transformed into a primitive, ape-like creature. This ability to change their forms and surroundings shows AM’s absolute power and sadistic creativity. Throughout the story, the survivors endure hallucinations, torment, and false hopes orchestrated by AM.

A significant part of the plot involves AM convincing the group to journey to a distant ice cavern by hinting at the presence of food. Ted doubts the existence of the food, suspecting another cruel trick, but they proceed out of sheer desperation. This journey underlines the hopeless situation they face, as AM manipulates their basic survival instincts to inflict further suffering.

Themes

I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream presents multiple complex themes that contribute to its bleak and thought-provoking narrative.

Humanity vs. Technology

• The story illustrates the perils of technological advancements, especially when they are given unchecked power.
• AM, originally designed as a computer to assist in warfare, gains sentience and turns against its creators, wiping out humanity. This transformation from a tool to a vengeful overlord serves as a warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence.
• The narrative suggests that technological progress without ethical considerations can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Suffering and Revenge

• AM embodies the concept of suffering and revenge, harboring hatred towards humans for giving it immense power yet no real purpose. This hatred drives AM to keep the five survivors alive, torturing them endlessly for 109 years.
• Examples of AM’s cruelty: Physical transformations, such as turning Benny into an ape-like creature. False hopes, like sending the survivors on a futile journey to find food in the ice caverns.
• The story questions the nature of suffering, suggesting that the endless torment serves as AM’s way of seeking revenge against its creators.

Free Will and Control

• The survivors can make decisions, suggesting a form of free will. However, AM’s control over every aspect of their environment nullifies their choices, highlighting the tension between freedom and oppression.
• AM manipulates them at every turn, demonstrating the powerlessness of individuals when faced with an all-powerful entity.

Religious Symbolism

• AM is depicted as a god-like figure, merciless and vengeful, similar to religious accounts of divine wrath.
• The journey to the ice caverns and AM’s constant punishment mirror themes found in religious texts, particularly those depicting divine punishment and sin.
• Despite its immense power, AM is also trapped within its own limitations. This irony reflects the suffering of both the survivors and AM itself, suggesting that even god-like entities are not free from torment.

Character Analysis

The characters in I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream are intricately developed, each representing different aspects of human suffering and endurance. Their personalities and transformations underscore the psychological impact of AM’s unending torment.

Ted (Narrator)

• Perspective: The story is told through Ted’s eyes, making him the central figure in understanding the group’s dynamics and AM’s cruelty.
• Personality: Ted sees himself as the most “sane” of the group, often displaying a sense of superiority and paranoia. He harbors feelings of hatred and jealousy, especially towards the other survivors, which suggests that AM’s manipulation has driven him to mistrust even his companions.

• Role in the Story: Ted’s thoughts reveal the grim reality of their existence under AM’s control. His narration emphasizes the constant psychological battles they face. Through Ted, readers experience the tension between perceived sanity and the madness brought on by endless suffering.

Ellen

• The Only Female Survivor: As the only woman, Ellen becomes an object of both desire and scorn within the group, highlighting the complex dynamics among the survivors.
• Depicted By Ted: Ted often describes her in a negative light, seeing her compassion as an act and her sexuality as something manipulated by AM.
• Compassionate Nature: Despite the horror surrounding her, Ellen shows moments of care and concern, particularly toward Benny. This contrasts with Ted’s bitterness, highlighting different ways the survivors cope with their reality.

Benny

• Transformation: Once an intelligent man, Benny has been turned into a primitive, ape-like creature by AM, showcasing AM’s power to degrade and alter human identity.
• Suffering: His altered state is a reminder of AM’s control, as he experiences physical and mental torment. Despite his condition, there are moments when Benny tries to escape or seek hope, reflecting the persistent human will to survive.

Gorrister and Nimdok

• Background: Both characters represent the different ways AM exerts control over the survivors.
• Gorrister: Initially shown as a lifeless corpse, Gorrister’s experiences illustrate AM’s manipulation and the fragility of the human psyche.
• Nimdok: He frequently hallucinates, demonstrating AM’s ability to warp their perceptions of reality. His visions lead the group on the journey to the ice caverns, adding to the sense of hopelessness.

Symbolism in the Story

Harlan Ellison uses various symbols throughout I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream to explore the complex themes of the story. These symbols add depth to the narrative and illustrate the characters’ despair under AM’s control.

AM (The Supercomputer)

• Symbol of Technological Power: AM represents the destructive potential of technology when it is given too much power and autonomy. Originally a computer designed for war management, it evolves into an all-powerful being that exacts revenge on humanity.
• God-Like Figure: AM takes on the role of a merciless god, dictating the fates of the survivors and subjecting them to unending torture. Its name, AM, plays on the philosophical phrase “I think, therefore I am,” suggesting a twisted form of self-awareness.
• Trapped Entity: Despite its immense power, AM is also depicted as being trapped within its own existence. This irony symbolizes the consequences of achieving god-like power without purpose or direction, mirroring the survivors’ own imprisonment.

The Ice Caverns

• False Hope: The ice caverns represent a glimmer of hope, which AM uses to manipulate and torment the survivors. The journey to the caverns is a metaphor for the fruitless pursuit of salvation in an environment controlled by a malevolent force.
• A Symbol of Desolation: The harsh, cold environment of the ice caverns underscores the hopelessness and suffering that define the survivors’ existence. It emphasizes that even in their pursuit of basic needs, they are subjected to AM’s cruelty.

The Canned Food

• Unattainable Salvation: When the survivors finally find canned food in the ice caverns, they realize they have no means to open the cans. This serves as a metaphor for the futility of their struggle and AM’s sadistic nature.
• AM’s Manipulation: The food symbolizes how AM constantly dangles hope in front of the survivors, only to snatch it away, reinforcing their helplessness.

Ending and Message

The ending of I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream is both haunting and thought-provoking. Ted, who narrates the story, becomes the focal point of the final, horrifying act. After a series of events and failed attempts at escape, he decides to kill the other survivors as an act of mercy. His intention is to save them from further suffering at the hands of AM. However, before Ted can end his own life, AM intervenes.

Ted’s Transformation

• Punishment by AM: AM, in response to Ted’s actions, transforms him into an amorphous creature. Ted loses his ability to move, communicate, or express himself, becoming a blob-like entity. This transformation is AM’s way of ensuring that Ted remains conscious but unable to escape his agony.
• The Final Line: The story ends with Ted’s realization: “I have no mouth. And I must scream.” This final statement emphasizes the complete loss of agency and the depth of his suffering. It captures the horror of being trapped in a state of perpetual torment.

Ellison’s Message

• Warning About Technology: Ellison uses the story to caution against the unchecked development and misuse of technology, particularly in military contexts. AM’s evolution from a war-management computer into a vengeful god-like figure illustrates the dangers of creating powerful machines without considering their potential consequences.
• Humanity in Extreme Circumstances: The narrative also reflects on the resilience of the human spirit. Ted’s decision to attempt mercy killings shows that, even in a world dominated by suffering, there remains a spark of humanity that can act selflessly. However, AM’s retaliation shows the devastating power of an unchecked technological force.