Wiktor Wise
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is a 1968 novel by Philip K. Dick. It is now widely considered a classic of modern science fiction, influencing generations of writers and becoming a founding document of the new wave science fiction movement. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where life on Earth has been damaged by a nuclear global war. It follows Rick Deckard, a special police officer assigned to terminate human replicants living unnoticed in the city in the year 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Sub-genre | Cyberpunk, New wave science fiction |
| Themes | Post-apocalyptic, nature in a state of ultimate decline, collapse of ecology, degradation of mankind, identity |
| Setting | San Francisco, Earth |
| Time | Future, 1992 (2021 in later editions) |
| Plot | Bounty hunter Rick Deckard has to "retire" (kill) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids |
| Secondary Plot | John Isidore, a man of sub-par IQ, aids the fugitive androids |
| Film adaptation | Blade Runner (1982) |
| Film sequel | Blade Runner 2049 (2017) |
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What You'll Learn
Science fiction
Published in 1968, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a dystopian science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war.
The story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who has to "retire" (i.e. kill) renegade androids who have escaped from the outer colonies. These "replicants" are designed to be "more human than human" and serve as de facto slaves to the inhabitants of Earth who have escaped the war-ravaged planet for off-world colonies on Mars and elsewhere. Some of these "replicants" prefer freedom on Earth to servitude, and for the crime of returning, they are punished by being "retired," or executed.
The novel explores the question of what it means to be human, as Deckard realizes that "the electric things have their lives, too." It also questions the viability of reality itself, as Deckard's growing ethical confusion about killing the replicants is highlighted by the book's extension into the quasi-religious undertones of persuasion and vicarious lived experience. The religion of Mercerism, from which replicants are prohibited, is a typical Dick invention. Mercer is a false idol, and the novel asks whether Deckard himself may be one of the replicants he hunts.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is known for its influence on the science fiction genre, becoming a founding document of the new wave science fiction movement and a basic model for its cyberpunk heirs. It has inspired other works of science fiction, including the blockbuster film Blade Runner and its sequel, Blade Runner 2049, which retain many themes of the novel.
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Futuristic
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is a futuristic novel by Philip K. Dick, set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco in the year 2021. The world has been damaged by a nuclear global war, and the story follows Rick Deckard, a special police officer assigned to terminate human replicants who live unnoticed among the human population.
The novel is a classic example of science fiction, and it explores various philosophical concepts and ideas. One of the key themes is the value of life and how, in the future, life becomes such a valuable commodity that people use replicants to fulfil their need to show compassion. This is reflected in Deckard's dream of owning a live animal, which is considered the ultimate status symbol in a world where animal life is scarce.
The novel also delves into the concept of what it means to be human and the relationship between humans and their creations. This is evident in the way the replicants are portrayed as having emotions and sentience, blurring the lines between human and machine. The story's setting in a future where technology has advanced to the point of creating intelligent androids adds to the futuristic tone and explores the potential consequences of such advancements.
The world-building in 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is detailed and immersive, painting a picture of a dismal future for humankind, where life has been greatly affected by war and technology. Despite this, there is also an underlying message of hope that involves the ability to express emotions, even in a world where they may be artificial.
Overall, the novel's exploration of philosophical ideas and its imaginative portrayal of a future society make it a significant work of science fiction, influencing generations of writers and shaping the cyberpunk and new wave science fiction movements.
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Post-apocalyptic
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" is a science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick, first published in 1968. It is now considered a classic of modern science fiction and has influenced generations of writers in the genre. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where life on Earth has been devastated by a global nuclear war.
The story is set in the future, in the year 2021. It follows Rick Deckard, a special police officer tasked with terminating human replicants who live undetected in the ruins of San Francisco. These replicants are intelligent androids, and the novel explores themes of what it means to be human, the real versus the artificial, and the ethical implications of man's creations.
The post-apocalyptic world of the novel is one where Earth has been left in ruins and humanity is struggling to survive. The war has resulted in widespread destruction and the collapse of society as we know it. The novel does not go into detail about the exact nature of the war or the full extent of the destruction, but it is clear that the world has been drastically altered. The environment has been damaged, and many animals are now extinct, surviving only as electric replicas.
The novel's protagonist, Deckard, navigates this ruined world, where the remnants of humanity cling to survival. The post-apocalyptic setting serves as a backdrop to explore the novel's central themes of identity, reality, and what it means to be human. The desolation of the world highlights the fragility of humanity and the importance of empathy and connection, which are increasingly rare in this future world.
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" presents a bleak vision of a post-apocalyptic future, but it is also a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and the potential consequences of technological advancement. The novel's influence can be seen in the many works of science fiction that followed, as well as in other art forms such as film and music.
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Cyberpunk
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick, first published in 1968. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where life on Earth has been devastated by a nuclear global war. It follows Rick Deckard, a special police officer tasked with terminating human replicants who live undetected in the city in the year 2021.
The novel is considered a classic of modern science fiction and has influenced generations of writers, particularly in the cyberpunk genre. It serves as a foundational text for the new wave science fiction movement and a template for subsequent cyberpunk works. The novel explores themes such as the struggle between what is real and artificial, and humanity's most pressing concerns.
The term "cyberpunk" emerged in the 1980s to describe a subgenre of science fiction that blends advanced technology and low-life culture, often featuring a dystopian future with a blend of cybernetics and punk attitude. The genre typically depicts a future where advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybernetic enhancements, and virtual reality have become integral to society, but their benefits are unevenly distributed, leading to a stark division between the rich and the poor.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? exemplifies cyberpunk themes through its exploration of human-machine relationships, the impact of technology on society, and the blurring of lines between humans and machines. The novel's world-building and characterisation contribute to its enduring appeal and influence on the cyberpunk genre.
The novel's influence extends beyond literature, as it inspired the acclaimed 1982 film Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott, which further cemented its place in popular culture. The film's sequel, Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve and released in 2017, continued to explore the themes and aesthetics established by Dick's novel, showcasing the lasting impact of his vision on the cyberpunk genre in cinema.
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Dystopian
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" is a dystopian science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick, first published in 1968. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where life on Earth has been devastated by a global nuclear war.
The story follows Rick Deckard, a special police officer tasked with terminating human replicants living undetected in the city in the year 2021. The replicants are androids, artificial beings designed to resemble humans, and Deckard's mission is to "retire" them.
The novel explores themes of humanity and what it means to be human in a world where the line between human and machine is blurred. It raises questions about the nature of consciousness, identity, and empathy. The title itself is a thought-provoking element, suggesting a world in which androids may have dreams and emotions similar to those of humans, further complicating the distinction between the two.
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" has had a significant influence on science fiction literature and media, becoming a foundational text for the new wave science fiction movement and inspiring the cyberpunk genre. It has also influenced other forms of media, such as sci-fi-based metal music. Despite initial mixed reviews, the novel is now considered a classic in the science fiction genre, with its complex exploration of philosophical and ethical themes that remain relevant and thought-provoking for contemporary audiences.
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Frequently asked questions
The novel is considered a classic of modern science fiction.
The novel explores the idea of real vs. artificial and addresses a range of humanity's most pressing concerns.
The novel has influenced generations of science fiction writers and is considered a founding document of the new wave of science fiction. It also influenced other genres such as sci-fi-based metal.
Yes, the novel was adapted into the 1982 film Blade Runner, which overshadowed the novel's critical reception.
The novel is the basis for the film Blade Runner and is considered by some to be a retrospective title for the book.
