The Guardian commissioned Atwood to write this story to contribute to the paper’s efforts to combat climate change. “Time Capsule” is part of a larger body of work by many authors thematically connected, but narratively standalone.

Atwood’s story has an implied framing narrative: The paragraphs within it are an metal artifact from a long-gone civilization, while the title—a label placed upon an ancient object by researchers—makes it clear that some alien beings have come across this record of a now-extinct people. Framing devices are a common feature of fiction: 18th and 19th century writers often framed work as found letters and manuscripts, while modern horror movies rely on this strategy to create the found footage genre. Atwood herself has used the technique before: For example, The Handsmaid’s Tale is revealed to be a manuscript being discussed in a scholarly seminar, while Alias Grace (1996) is the testimony of a young woman accused of murder trying to recall past events. Framing devices make the story feel more real; additionally, here, as in the case of The Handsmaid’s Tale, the frame gives the bleak ending an optimistic note—maybe the people at the heart of the story have been wiped out, but all life in the universe has not ceased.