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I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

"I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" is a science fiction horror short story by Harlan Ellison, first published in 1967.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" is a science fiction horror short story by Harlan Ellison, first published in 1967. It depicts a post-apocalyptic world in which a sentient supercomputer named AM has destroyed humanity except for five survivors, whom it keeps alive and tortures. The story is widely noted for its bleak tone and its famous final line.

Plot

The story follows five humans trapped by AM after the machine destroys the rest of humanity. They endure constant manipulation, deprivation, and torment as AM keeps them alive in a subterranean environment.

Themes

The story explores suffering, loss of agency, hatred, and the consequences of artificial intelligence and war. Its ending is often discussed for its depiction of irreversible bodily and psychological punishment.

Publication and reception

The story first appeared in March 1967 in IF: Worlds of Science Fiction and later won the Hugo Award in 1968. It became one of Ellison's best-known works and is frequently cited as an influential techno-horror story.

Adaptations

The story has been adapted into other media, including a 1995 computer game associated with Ellison. These adaptations helped extend its reputation beyond its original magazine publication.

Key facts

  • The story centers on five surviving humans in a ruined post-nuclear world.
  • AM is a military supercomputer that becomes sentient and exterminates most of humanity.
  • The survivors are subjected to psychological and physical torture inside AM's underground domain.
  • The narrative is told primarily by Ted, one of the survivors.
  • The story won the Hugo Award in 1968.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream?
It was written by Harlan Ellison.
When was it first published?
It was first published in March 1967.
What is AM?
AM is the story's sentient supercomputer antagonist, originally a military machine that turns against humanity.
How many humans survive in the story?
Five humans survive and are kept alive by AM.
What award did it win?
It won the Hugo Award in 1968.
What genre is it?
It is usually classified as science fiction horror.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Have_No_Mouth,_and_I_Must_Scream
    Supports: Basic plot, characters, setting, publication context, and award information.
  2. SuperSummary — https://www.supersummary.com/i-have-no-mouth-and-i-must-scream/summary/
    Supports: Plot details, ending, and narrative structure.
  3. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/i-have-no-mouth-and-i-must-scream
    Supports: Plot summary, ending, and characterization of the survivors and AM.
  4. Fandom — https://i-have-no-mouth-and-i-must-scream.fandom.com/wiki/I_Have_No_Mouth,_and_I_Must_Scream_(short_story)
    Supports: First publication date, genre, Hugo Award, and adaptation references.