Not by Its Cover
Encyclopedia
"Not by Its Cover" is a sequel to Philip K. Dick
's first published science fiction short story, "Beyond Lies the Wub
." The story continues the latter's theme of immortality, although not focusing on a living Wub
itself, but rather its fur. Wub fur, so the story suggests, continues to live after the "death" of the Wub, and as such is highly prized owing to its postmortem production of a luxurious pelt that has numerous, albeit trivial, human applications. One such application is its use as a book cover by a Mars based publisher who issues a new Latin volume of Lucretius
' poem "De Rerum Natura" (On the Nature of Things)."
Lucretius's poem represents one of the best preserved ancient sources of the materialist philosophy known as Epicureanism
, which espoused an ateleological metaphysical formula of atoms, randomness and determinism, an ethical doctrine promoting hedonism
and, most notably for Dick's story, personal annihilation at death.
Dick's story begins with the book publisher receiving numerous complaints by purchasers of the Wub covered volume of Lucretius. Numerous changes to essential passages in the text have been discovered; those originally advocating personal annihilation now suggest a postmortem eschatological state. Detective work by the publisher and his copyist reveals that non-Wub covered volumes did not experience similar amendments and furthermore that no amendments were made to the proofs sent to the printers. The remainder of the story provides a humorous and philosophically interesting counterpointing of the annihilatory statements in Lucretius' poem and the Wub fur that, somehow, amends it.
The publisher continues to experiment with the nature of volumes bound in Wub fur, including the Bible, which demonstrates similar amendments to the Lucretius poem. In the end, the publisher decides to take the test one step further, following the messages in the modified passages to see if the Wub fur can preserve other items - including bodies - in the same way it preserves itself.
Dick said of the story:
Philip K. Dick
Philip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered...
's first published science fiction short story, "Beyond Lies the Wub
Beyond Lies the Wub
"Beyond Lies the Wub" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was his first published story, originally appearing in Planet Stories in July, 1952.-Plot:...
." The story continues the latter's theme of immortality, although not focusing on a living Wub
WUB
WUB may stand for*Water user board, a local association of water users*World University of Bangladesh*WUB Morning Vibes, a daily talk show in Belize*Beyond Lies the Wub, a 1952 science fiction story by Philip K. Dick...
itself, but rather its fur. Wub fur, so the story suggests, continues to live after the "death" of the Wub, and as such is highly prized owing to its postmortem production of a luxurious pelt that has numerous, albeit trivial, human applications. One such application is its use as a book cover by a Mars based publisher who issues a new Latin volume of Lucretius
Lucretius
Titus Lucretius Carus was a Roman poet and philosopher. His only known work is an epic philosophical poem laying out the beliefs of Epicureanism, De rerum natura, translated into English as On the Nature of Things or "On the Nature of the Universe".Virtually no details have come down concerning...
' poem "De Rerum Natura" (On the Nature of Things)."
Lucretius's poem represents one of the best preserved ancient sources of the materialist philosophy known as Epicureanism
Epicureanism
Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus, founded around 307 BC. Epicurus was an atomic materialist, following in the steps of Democritus. His materialism led him to a general attack on superstition and divine intervention. Following Aristippus—about whom...
, which espoused an ateleological metaphysical formula of atoms, randomness and determinism, an ethical doctrine promoting hedonism
Hedonism
Hedonism is a school of thought which argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good. In very simple terms, a hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure .-Etymology:The name derives from the Greek word for "delight" ....
and, most notably for Dick's story, personal annihilation at death.
Dick's story begins with the book publisher receiving numerous complaints by purchasers of the Wub covered volume of Lucretius. Numerous changes to essential passages in the text have been discovered; those originally advocating personal annihilation now suggest a postmortem eschatological state. Detective work by the publisher and his copyist reveals that non-Wub covered volumes did not experience similar amendments and furthermore that no amendments were made to the proofs sent to the printers. The remainder of the story provides a humorous and philosophically interesting counterpointing of the annihilatory statements in Lucretius' poem and the Wub fur that, somehow, amends it.
The publisher continues to experiment with the nature of volumes bound in Wub fur, including the Bible, which demonstrates similar amendments to the Lucretius poem. In the end, the publisher decides to take the test one step further, following the messages in the modified passages to see if the Wub fur can preserve other items - including bodies - in the same way it preserves itself.
Dick said of the story:
"Here I presented what used to be a wish on my part: that the Bible was true. Obviously, I was at a sort of halfway point between doubt and faith. Years later I'm still in that position; I'd like the Bible to be true, but --well, maybe if it isn't we can make it so. But, alas, it's going to take plenty of work to do it."
Sources
- The Three Stigmata of Philip K Dick http://articlejournal.net/issue_three/p_k_d.html
- Epicureanism after Epicurus: the Influence of Epicurus on Western Thoughthttp://hanrott.com/blog/?page_id=21