I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1967

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Summary

Background

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

AM is shown creating living things, including locusts, angels, a giant bird, and rats. Since AM can create life, why can’t AM make more humans to torment? What might be different about humans that AM cannot replicate?

Ted reflects that “AM could not belong. He could merely be” (7). What is the difference between being and belonging? What are some examples of being versus belonging, and why would exclusion from belonging provoke such rage in AM?

Although Ted is the main character and narrator, he reveals nothing about his life before AM’s apocalypse. Why might that be? What does that accomplish for the story? How would the story be different if it did include Ted’s history?