The Fixed Period

Of course, as the time drew nearer, the question of Crasweller's deposition became generally discussed by the public of Gladstonopolis. And so also did the loves of Abraham Grundle and Eva Crasweller. There were "Evaites" and "Abrahamites" in the community.

First victim's deposition splits love factions — plot as law colliding with body and marriage — so plot scores 87.

The great doctrine of a "Fixed Period" was received by them at first with ridicule, and then with dismay; but it was undoubtedly the strong faith which we of Britannula had in that doctrine which induced our separation.

Narrator-president defined by doctrine faith before faces named — cast as ideologue — so cast scores 84.

I began to doubt whether my mind would hold its proper bent under the strain thus laid upon it, and to ask myself whether I was in all respects sane in entertaining the ideas which filled my mind. Galileo and Columbus,--Galileo and Columbus!

Name-chant stalls action inside doubt — serial self-persuasion as pace — so pace scores 85.

"What shall I do with my book? Who will publish it? How shall I create an interest for it? Is there one who will believe, at any rate, that I believe in the Fixed Period?" "I do," said the lieutenant.

Doctrine becomes unpublishable manuscript — satirical creed reduced to one friend's courtesy — so prose scores 88.

It was at last decided that men and women should be brought into the college at sixty-seven, and that before their sixty-eighth birthday they should have departed. Then the bells were rung, and the whole community rejoiced.

Bells for euthanasia college — invented civic calendar as geography of reform — so world scores 90.

It may be doubted whether a brighter, more prosperous, and specially a more orderly colony than Britannula was ever settled by British colonists.

Utopian boast before Fixed Period dread — hook as brightness that will sour — so hook scores 92.

I think I must begin my story by explaining in moderate language a few of the manifest advantages which would attend the adoption of the Fixed Period in all countries. As far as the law went it was adopted in Britannula.

Mandatory old-age deposition as novel premise — Trollope outside parish realism into speculative satire — so innov scores 96.

You must acknowledge to yourself that you have never known one whose position in the world was more piteous, or whose difficulties were more trying." Then I left him, and went down to complete my manuscript.

Empire wins; prophet finishes manuscript alone — ending as exile not martyrdom — so ending scores 86.