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After Some Tomorrow

Written by Mack Reynolds

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Science FictionShort storiesSex roleApocalyptic fictionMatriarchyColorado

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About this book

"After Some Tomorrow" by Mack Reynolds is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where societal structures have changed drastically, particularly regarding gender roles and the meaning of family within clans. It explores themes of survival, the function of men and women in society, and the biological imperatives driving human relationships in a time of existential threat. The plot follows Alan, the only husband of the Wolf clan, who finds himself in a precarious situation as rival clans attempt to raid and capture him. The story begins with Alan instructing the clan’s children when a raid erupts, leading to a tense battle where he realizes the fragility of their existence. As the plot unfolds, Alan grapples with his role as a man in a society that has relegated men to a secondary status due to fertility issues. After successfully repelling the raid, he proposes a controversial plan to breed with women from the rival clans to preserve the human race. The climax comes as Alan advocates for radical changes in their society, facing resistance from the other women in the clan who are reluctant to abandon their traditional values. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about gender, power, and the future of humanity in the wake of societal collapse.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in After Some Tomorrow, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • dystopian
  • survivalist
  • thought-provoking

Mack Reynolds's "After Some Tomorrow" plunges readers into a stark, post-apocalyptic future where humanity teeters on the brink of extinction, leading to radically altered societal structures and gender roles. The narrative centers on Alan, the sole fertile male of the Wolf clan, whose primary role has shifted from traditional masculinity to that of a vital, yet secondary, procreative resource. When a raid by rival clans highlights the precariousness of their existence, Alan is forced to confront both external threats and the internal resistance to his radical proposal: to interbreed with women from other clans to ensure the species' survival. The novel provocatively explores the tension between biological imperative and established social norms, questioning the very definition of family and power in a world stripped bare.

“Survival is not a right; it is a constant, brutal negotiation with existence.”

Key themes

Gender Roles and Power
The novel critically examines how societal power dynamics and gender roles are inverted and redefined in a post-apocalyptic world due to biological scarcity. Men, specifically fertile men like Alan, become invaluable for their reproductive capacity but are simultaneously relegated to a secondary, utilitarian status, while women assume leadership roles. This theme explores the fluidity of power and status when traditional social constructs are challenged by fundamental biological needs.
Survival and Adaptation
This theme explores the desperate measures humanity must take to survive in a harsh, post-apocalyptic environment. It highlights the constant struggle against external threats (rival clans, environmental dangers) and the internal necessity for societal adaptation. Alan's proposal embodies the ultimate act of adaptation, suggesting that traditional values must be sacrificed for the greater good of species preservation.
Biological Imperatives vs. Social Structures
A core theme, this explores the tension between humanity's innate drive to reproduce and propagate the species (biological imperative) and the established social, cultural, and emotional structures that govern human relationships. Alan's plan represents the biological imperative asserting its dominance over entrenched social norms, forcing a confrontation between instinctual survival and cherished traditions.

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