The Dancers

"The Dancers" by Margaret St. Clair is a science fiction story that examines people, wisdom, and what happens as a result of making decisions on a new world after Earth is gone. The book is about astronauts landing on a new planet, questioning right and wrong when it comes to dealing with a less advanced people, and thinking about bigger ideas about wisdom and the relationship between humans and the universe. The story focuses on Rossiter and Bernard from the spaceship "Elpis," as they consider their violent meeting with the planet's original people. They feel surprised and guilty about killing a woman, a baby, and three men which sparks conversations about losing things, memories, and how their choices might have unexpected outcomes. Rossiter comes up with an interesting idea; he thinks human rituals and dances may have shaped world order and even caused the sun to rise. They realize that trying to learn and build a civilization might have broken a connection that affected the universe, making people think about beliefs, cultures, and what humans leave behind.