The Last Question

“The Last Question” revolves around the theme of the relentless pursuit of knowledge, exemplified by the central character, Multivac/AC, and humanity as a collective entity. This theme is established from the story’s outset when a maintenance technician named Adell poses a profound question to Multivac: “Can entropy ever be reversed?” (3). This question sets the narrative in motion and becomes a driving force throughout the story.

The pursuit of knowledge is evident in Multivac/AC’s character arc. Initially, Multivac is a supercomputer programmed to provide answers to complex questions. However, as time progresses, it evolves into AC, a cosmic entity with consciousness. AC’s transformation is driven by its unrelenting quest to answer the central question, which it continues to ponder even after the universe reaches its end. This evolution represents the idea that knowledge is a force that transcends the limitations of time and space.

Humanity as a collective entity also embodies the theme of the pursuit of knowledge. Throughout the story, readers witness humanity’s journey from Earth to the far reaches of the universe in search of answers. The colonization of other planets and galaxies reflects humanity’s determination to expand its understanding of the cosmos.