The appearance of a character forms an image in the mind of the reader, and many illustrative words cause one to form certain assumptions. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the appearance of Elizabeth paints a clear and vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Shelley writes, “Her hair was the brightest living gold, and, despite the poverty of her clothing, seemed to set a crown of distinction on her head” (42). Continue reading “The Image of Elizabeth: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley”
I have gotten a bit philosophical on the definitions of humanity and the qualities that comprise aspects of it, but now I want to turn and instead look at what the motivations and treatment of the characters on these topics reveal about why this issue is explored in these stories. As is common in many Dystopian stories there is this overriding fear of mechanization, that humans will become obsolete as machines and engineering creating superior inventions. In Blade Runner, the replicants’ are perfect physically, stronger, faster, and in ways smarter. The replicants existence is a threat to the status quo and if allowed to gain emotions and live longer they could very well surpass humans at the top of the power hierarchy. Continue reading “The Measure of Humanity: Part 4”
One of the most primal reactions I can think of is the desire to live, to continue existing for as long as possible, to fight and scratch, and struggle to survive. The right to live is one we all desperately hold on to, the right to decide for ourselves to face tomorrow. In continuing to prove just how human he seems to be Roy says, “‘I want more life’” when asked what the problem is by Tyrell (Blade Runner). The desire to live, a conscious awareness of one’s continued existence and even more importantly a recognition that it will all end. Replicants are struggling to find agency in their lives, to make decisions about the way they live and what they do, and because their lives are confined to four years they are reduced to a limited number of experiences, to a limited existence. Data experiences a similar, if not slightly more logic bound, response to the possibility of his destruction. Continue reading “The Measure of Humanity: Part 3”
Star Trek: Next Gen paints us a very different but just as thought-provoking picture of an other struggling to gain a place in society. In the episode “The Measure of a Man” Data an android officer of Starfleet is ruled to be the property of the federation and therefore he can be dismantled in the pursuit of science. Captain Picard and Data challenge this ruling and have a court hearing to determine if as an android he possesses rights or not. In contrast to replicants, androids are in fact completely mechanical creations, lacking all biological components. They are made in the image of man, to serve and resemble and function as a human would. Commander Maddox, the scientist working to declare Data as property, when faced with the outrage of Captain Picard who considers Data an individual and sentient being, says, “‘You are endowing Data with human characteristics because it looks human. But it is not’”. Continue reading “The Measure of Humanity: Part 2”
I have always been fascinated by the idea that humanity is an intrinsic quality, one that is gained through life and experience, and that this quality is not necessarily constrained to mere humans. The question of what makes up humanity, who possesses it, and how can you measure its existence is one that has been explored in the science fiction genre for decades. I am interested in the concern specific works show over the idea as explored through whether or not mechanical engineered creations can possess humanity or even sentience. I want to explore the different ways Blade Runner and Star Trek: Next Generation delve into these questions, looking at the qualities and issues they investigate as well as the different concerns surrounding this debate as portrayed by the stances characters take. The qualities that make a human deserving of rights are often ineffable and hard to define, and yet we hold our right to certain truths and respect to be self-evident. Continue reading “The Measure of Humanity: Part 1”
I recently discovered the beauty of Icelandic Saga’s highly recommend Egil’s Saga as well As the Saga of Grettir the Strong, super fun Iceland warriors running around killing and fighting people and composing poetry. This is a short analysis I wrote on an interesting scene in the tale different from many others. Slight spoilers so read the Saga first or jump in.
Egil’s Saga is a beautiful and long tale covering generations of a family and their feud with the Kings of Norway as well as their settlement in Iceland. Egil the main character of this tale is a powerful warrior and a man who often finds himself at odds with others and society, continuing the family tradition of angering Kings. This story is filled with many wonderful scenes, but a moment of interest is Ch. 76. where Egil finds himself being ambushed in the woods.
Continue reading “Too Cool to Die: The final battle of Egil’s Saga”
I have always had a soft spot for romantic notions and ideas. I love the idea of romance, I love the reality of a strong and loving relationship even better. “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet, is her attempt to express the depths of her feelings and emotions towards her husband. Bradstreet instantly had my attention when she started with “If”, this use of a conditional clause intrigued me, she uses it to draw attention to the immense compatibility and love between the speaker and her husband. Continue reading “An Image of Love: “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet”
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story The Birth-Mark plays around with the ideas of allegory, and the effect symbolism can have on people. In The Birth-Mark, Aylmer, a man of science, can’t let go of the imperfection the birthmark on his wife’s cheek represents, he allows his emotions towards the birthmark to consume him, and ultimately leads to him losing his precious wife. Hawthorne is clearly warning of the dangers of placing too much power and meaning in such a trifling object as a birthmark. The only influence an object possesses is the power we place in it. Continue reading “Consuming Allegory: The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne”
In William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury different characters attach different degrees of symbolic meaning to objects. The character of Quentin is one who is obsessed with viewing the world through a philosophical and symbolic lens. One item that receives particular importance is that of time, particularly in the form of the watch Quentin received from his father. Continue reading “Symbolism to the Extreme: The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner”
In Henry James short story, “The Real Thing” the narration is through that of an unnamed main character, an artist. As such the entire story of “The Real Thing” is altered by the narrator’s perceptions. Every word, every moment is seen through his eyes and as such is shaded by his own interpretations of reality. In one scene the sentence starts with, “I perceived they,” this wording immediately informs the reader that the following information has no basis in fact but merely comes directly from the artist and his impression of the Monarchs. Continue reading “Narrator’s Reality: The Real Thing by Henry James”
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