'And So Ad Infinitum' (The Life of the Insects) : An Entomological Review, in Three Acts, a Prologue and an Epilogue

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Čapek, Karel, 1890-1938

Contributor:

Čapek, Josef, 1887-1945

Bax, Clifford, 1886-1962

Playfair, Nigel, 1874-1934

Selver, Paul, 1888-1970

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"And So Ad Infinitum" (The Life of the Insects) by Karel Čapek and Josef Čapek is a theatrical work presented in a unique format that blends elements of drama and entomological review, likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative takes an insightful yet whimsical look into the lives of insects, personifying them in a way that reflects the broader themes of existence, nature, and the human condition. The opening of this play introduces a tramp who is roused from sleep by a lepidopterist eagerly trying to catch butterflies. Their dialogue reveals the contrast between the simplistic joys of nature that the tramp embodies and the analytical, often obsessive pursuit of the scientist. As the tramper philosophizes about love and happiness, various butterfly characters are introduced, engaging in playful and romantic interactions, which set the stage for exploring deeper themes of desire, beauty, and the cyclical nature of life, all against the backdrop of the natural world. This engaging introduction creates a rich tapestry of characters and ideas, inviting the audience to reflect on both the whimsical and the serious aspects of life through the lens of entomology. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Paul Marshall, Mary Glenn Krause, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

Notes:

Reading ease score: 88.9 (6th grade). Easy to read.

Release date is 2020-02-16