Mimic story
An entomologist who uses genetic engineering to cross a mantis with a termite gets more than she bargains for when its progeny evolve into giant, man-eating insects. It is based on the Donald A. Wollheim's short story of the same name.
14 total · 5 major · 9 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| human vs. beast | major | Susan and Peter and a handful of others were fighting for their lives against giant, man-eating bugs in the New York subway subway system and sewers. |
| husband and wife | major | Susan and Peter were a happily married couple who were trying to conceive a child. |
| romantic love | major | Susan and Peter were in a loving marriage and were attempting to conceive a child. |
| speculative evolution | major | The progeny of a genetically engineered cross between a mantis and a termite rapidly evolved into giant, man-eating, New York subway system inhabiting bugs that used mimicry to lure their human prey. |
| the dangers of unfettered scientific advancement | major | Dr. Susan Tyler genetically engineered a cross between a mantis and a termite with the best of intentions, and even took pains to include in them a genetic "kill switch", but their progeny still got out of control and rapidly evolved into giant, man-eating, New York subway system inhabiting bugs. |
| Christianity | minor | The old immigrant man Manny clutched his crucifix when he found himself in the presence of a giant, man-eating bug. |
| contagious disease in society | minor | Cockroaches were spreading the deadly "Strickler's disease" all around Manhattan. |
| coping with infertility | minor | Susan and Peter dearly wanted a child, but were having trouble conceiving one. |
| guardian and child | minor | The old, immigrant shoe shiner Manny was taking care of the spoons playing, autistic boy Chuy. |
| human childhood | minor | A couple of kid were going around collecting bugs to sell to a local entomologist. |