The Ministry for the Future

The Ministry for the Future

• Genre: Fiction; science fiction
• Originally Published: 2020
• Reading Level/Interest: Grades 11-12; college/adult
• Structure/Length: 106 chapters; approximately 576 pages; approximately 20 hours, 42 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel explores a near-future world grappling with the devastating impacts of climate change. Focused on the establishment of an international organization known as the Ministry for the Future, the story follows Mary Murphy, a representative of this organization, and other key figures as they work to mitigate the effects of global warming and ecological collapse. The central conflict revolves around humanity’s struggle to come together, make radical changes, and create a sustainable future in the face of widespread environmental challenges.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Climate change-related crises; political and social upheaval; global disasters; violence and death

Kim Stanley Robinson, Author

• Bio: Born 1952; American science fiction writer known for his intricate and detailed world-building; often delves into themes of ecology, politics, and future technologies in his works; “Mars Trilogy” gained significant attention for its portrayal of terraforming Mars; awarded numerous honors, including Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards; advocates for addressing climate change and social justice through his writing; academic background in literature and environmental studies
• Other Works: Red Mars (1992); Green Mars (1993); Blue Mars (1996); 2312 (2012); New York 2140 (2017)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The War for Earth: Confronting Climate Change
• The Death of Capitalism
• Words Versus Actions

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Explore background information on climate change and potential solutions to increase their engagement with and understanding of The Ministry for the Future.
• Read/study paired texts and other brief resources to deepen their comprehension of the novel’s themes The War for Earth: Confronting Climate Change, The Death of Capitalism, and Words Versus Actions.
• Evaluate the factual basis of claims in Robinson’s book and reflect on how this evaluation affects their understanding of and appreciation for the book as a whole.
• Analyze the significance of various elements of the novel, such as analogy, narrative perspective, plot detail, symbolism, characterization, audience, and tone; construct essay responses tying these elements to the novel’s meaning.