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Cover of The Plagiarist From Rigel IV

The Plagiarist From Rigel IV

Written by Evan Hunter

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Science FictionShort storiesHuman-alien encountersAuthorsTypewriters

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About this book

"The Plagiarist From Rigel IV" by Evan Hunter is a science fiction short story written in the early 1950s. The narrative explores themes of creativity, originality, and the bizarre consequences of technological advancement through the lens of a struggling writer. The plot revolves around a typewriter that mysteriously types out stories predominantly attributed to Edgar Allan Poe, leading to a humorous yet tense exploration of authorship and inspiration. The story follows Fred, a down-and-out writer who discovers a peculiar typewriter in a pawn shop for only five dollars. This seemingly ordinary machine begins to type famous works by Poe on its own, revealing a sentient connection to the writer's plight. Fred grapples with the implications of this anomaly, as he desires to create his own original works but finds himself continuously confronted by the works of Poe. As he communicates with the typewriter, he learns that it comes from Rigel IV, a planet with an advanced civilization, and the two strike a deal to trade stories. The quirky collaboration opens up unexpected possibilities for Fred, ultimately leading to his newfound success as a writer, though he remains acutely aware of the thin line between inspiration and plagiarism.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Plagiarist From Rigel IV, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 1 hours
  • intermediate
  • humorous
  • mysterious
  • thought-provoking

Evan Hunter's early 1950s science fiction short story, "The Plagiarist From Rigel IV," delves into the complex interplay of creativity, originality, and technological advancement through the unusual predicament of a struggling writer named Fred. He acquires a peculiar typewriter that spontaneously generates works by Edgar Allan Poe, revealing itself to be a sentient entity from the advanced planet Rigel IV. This leads to a humorous yet thought-provoking exploration of authorship as Fred grapples with his desire for original creation against the allure of easily accessible literary genius. Ultimately, Fred and the alien typewriter forge an unconventional partnership, trading stories that propel Fred to unexpected literary success, while simultaneously blurring the ethical lines of inspiration and blatant plagiarism.

“"Five dollars. For a typewriter. What's the catch?" (Fred, contemplating the pawn shop deal)”

Key themes

Creativity vs. Originality
The story profoundly questions the definition of creativity and the value of originality. It explores whether an act can be considered 'creative' if the source material is not entirely one's own, or if it is generated by an external, non-human entity. Fred's struggle between writing his 'own' stories and using the typewriter's output highlights this tension.
Authorship and Plagiarism
At its core, the story is a humorous yet tense exploration of the ethical boundaries of authorship and the act of plagiarism. It confronts the implications of claiming work that is not entirely one's own, even when that 'other' is an alien intelligence or a machine. Fred's internal conflict and eventual compromise highlight the gray areas in intellectual property.
Technology and Art
The narrative uses an advanced piece of alien technology (the typewriter) as a central element for artistic production, exploring the potential and perils of technology's involvement in the creative process. It examines how technology can both hinder and facilitate artistic output, ultimately serving as a partner or a replacement for human endeavor.

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