Do+Androids+Dream...

=Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip Dick =

Wiki Moderator: Melissa Lambert
====Impotant Note: If you choose to read this book, make sure you get the original version. There are a few adaptations around which have been "watered down" for younger readers. ====

Dear APA readers,
====Having just finished //Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep//, I can honestly say it is a true sci-fi classic. Even if you are not a fan of science fiction literature, the suspense of the novel will keep you reading. I literally read the whole book in one afternoon. ==== ====Philip Dick's novel portrays a world in the not too distant future where human-like robots, called androids, are first created to serve humans. As the years pass, and more highly developed androids are created, some of them decide to live life passing as human, which is against the law. This makes people like Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter trained to detect androids and "retire" them, a necessity. ==== ====Another interesting apsect of this book is the setting. After World War Terminus, Earth is gradually becoming more and more uninhabitable. Many people have already emigrated to Mars. Those who have chosen to remain behind are taking a great risk; the ever-falling radioactive dust has a decaying effect on people's intellect and genetic makeup. People are routinely checked and labeled as normal or "specials," also referred to as "chickenheads." Specials are classed as biologically unacceptable, are forced to accept sterilization, and are not allowed to join the colonists on Mars. These citizens "in effect cease to be a part of mankind," yet they remain on Earth, struggling to survive. ==== ====Thanks to the radioactive dust, many species of animals have become extinct. As a result, life, both human and animal, is a highly valued commodity. A person's status is determined not by how much wealth he has, but by the size of his pet! People who cannot afford the extremely expensive and rare pets such as goats or horses, are forced to purchase less important pets like cats or chickens. Some people have no choice but to purchase simulacrae, very realistic but fake animals, and pass them off as real to their neighbors to avoid embarrassment. ==== ====There are so many interesting ideas in this book, but I'll save some for you to discover! If you do choose to read this book, here are some discussion questions to help you get started on your response. These questions are not required; feel free to discuss your own ideas as well. ====

Questions to Consider:
1. The characters in the novel consider "empathy" the determining factor of being classified as a human being. How is this idea central to the novel? Which characters, human or otherwise, show empathy and how? Which characters seem to show no empathy? Does this mean they have lost touch with their humanity? 2. Explain how Dick's novel shows the dangers of technological progress. Consider the various "new age" machines present and how they affect society. How is this a prevalent theme in the science fiction genre? Can you compare this book to any other futuristic novels you have read? 3. Androids are presented as robots with highly developed intelligence, but no capability of feeling compassion, loyalty, or love. Does this seem to be true for all the androids? How do these ideas apply to some of the human characters we meet as well? 4. Explain how the modernized version of religion is presented through Mercerism. Why does this form of religion appeal to the majority of humans remaining on Earth? How does Mercerism seem to be in direct contrast with the popular cultural icon Buster Friendly? 5. Philip Dick first published this novel in 1968. What aspects, if any, of this novel seem to be relevant today? What comparisons might you make between Dick's imagined future and our current society?


 === Check out this review from amazon.com: "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was published in 1968. Grim and foreboding, even today it is a masterpiece ahead of its time. By 2021, the World War had killed millions, driving entire species into extinction and sending mankind off-planet. Those who remained coveted any living creature, and for people who couldn't afford one, companies built incredibly realistic simulacrae: horses, birds, cats, sheep. . . They even built humans. Emigrees to Mars received androids so sophisticated it was impossible to tell them from true men or women. Fearful of the havoc these artificial humans could wreak, the government banned them from Earth. But when androids didn't want to be identified, they just blended in. Rick Deckard was an officially sanctioned bounty hunter whose job was to find rogue androids, and to retire them. But cornered, androids tended to fight back, with deadly results." ===


===Did you know: This famous novel inspired the movie //Bladerunner//, but there are key differences between the movie and the book. === <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"> ===<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"> To Comment: Click the "Discussion" tab to begin recording your comments. Be sure to include your FULL NAME and your GRADE (for 2009-10) with each entry. Thanks! ===