Change

In Calvino's short stories, the characters often have to cope with change. The universe is constantly evolving, whether through the Big Bang, the moon moving away from Earth, the sun bursting into light or the Earth's atmosphere creating colors on its surface. Change is constant. The main character, Qfwfq, usually embraces change. When early fish are beginning to make the transition to walk on land, Qfwfq becomes excited at the prospect of land dwelling. When colors appear on Earth, Qfwfq is stunned by its beauty.

Still, Calvino's characters find change difficult to deal with. Qfwfq's family in "At Daybreak" doesn't know what to make of the changes in the planets and the sun as the solar system forms around them. His aunts and uncles get stuck on planets, and Mr. Hnw gets stuck upside down in the dirt. Ayl, Qfwfq's love in "Without Colors," fears change and runs...