Wiktor Wise
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a 1968 science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by nuclear global war. The story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who has to kill six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. The novel explores themes of empathy and machine intelligence, blurring the lines between the strict opposition of values. It has influenced generations of science fiction writers and works across other genres, including film, music, and television.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title | Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? |
| Author | Philip K. Dick |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Year of Publication | 1968 |
| Setting | Post-apocalyptic San Francisco |
| Plot | Bounty hunter Rick Deckard must "retire" (kill) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids |
| Themes | Empathy, machine intelligence, nature of life, religion, technology, human condition |
| Style | Noir fiction, satirical |
| Film Adaptations | Blade Runner (1982), Blade Runner 2049 (2017) |
| Spin-offs | Comic books, novels, games, anime series, stage play, radio drama |
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What You'll Learn
The novel's plot and characters
The novel's plot revolves around the character of Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter, or 'replicant-hunter', tasked with 'retiring' (terminating) rogue androids that have escaped from their off-world colonies and returned to Earth. The story is set in a dystopian future version of San Francisco, a polluted and crowded metropolis, where Deckard is called upon to deal with a group of particularly dangerous replicants. These replicants are Nexus-6 models, superior in strength and intelligence, and almost indistinguishable from humans. As the novel progresses, Deckard hunts these replicants, using specialized equipment and his own cunning to track them down. The replicants, however, are not mere machines, they exhibit human-like emotions, desires, and a strong will to survive, which blurs the line between man and machine, and calls into question the morality of Deckard's profession. As the story unfolds, Deckard encounters Rachael, an advanced replicant who believes herself to be human due to implanted memories, and who challenges Deckard's own understanding of what it means to be human. Their relationship adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, as Deckard grapples with his feelings for Rachael, despite knowing her true nature. The novel also explores the theme of empathy, or lack thereof, in both humans and replicants, and the impact this has on their respective behaviors. As Deckard confronts the replicants, he finds himself questioning his own humanity and the nature of his work, leading to a thought-provoking conclusion that leaves the reader with a deeper understanding of the complexities of human existence.
The replicants in the novel are described as physically identical to humans, with only subtle differences detectable through specialized equipment. They are designed for specific purposes, such as combat or labor, and are deployed to off-world colonies to serve human interests. However, some replicants, driven by their advanced intelligence and human-like emotions, rebel against their creators and seek freedom, leading them to escape and return to Earth. These rogue replicants become the targets of bounty hunters like Deckard. The novel also introduces the concept of 'empathy boxes', devices that can detect and measure empathy, which is considered a key differentiator between humans and replicants. The absence of empathy in replicants is supposed to make them easier to identify, but the line blurs as the story progresses and the replicants display increasingly human-like behaviors.
Rick Deckard, the novel's protagonist, is a complex character. He is a seasoned bounty hunter, skilled in the use of his equipment, and possesses a keen understanding of replicant behavior. However, Deckard is also world-weary and cynical, struggling with the moral implications of his profession. As he hunts the replicants, he finds himself questioning his own humanity and the value of their artificial lives. Deckard's relationship with Rachael further complicates his outlook, as he experiences conflicting emotions of attraction and unease due to her replicant nature. Despite his initial detachment, Deckard's encounters with the replicants, and his growing connection with Rachael, lead him to a deeper understanding of empathy and what it truly means to be human.
Rachael is an advanced Nexus-6 replicant, designed to be a secretary for the novel's antagonist, Eldon Tyrell. She is unique among replicants, as she has been implanted with the memories of Tyrell's niece, giving her a sense of her own personal history, which is usually lacking in replicants. Rachael believes herself to be human due to these implanted memories, and her discovery of her true nature is a pivotal moment in the novel. She becomes a source of conflict for Deckard, as he is drawn to her emotionally, yet struggles with the knowledge that she is artificial. Rachael's character serves as a bridge between the worlds of humans and replicants, challenging the notion that replicants are mere machines devoid of humanity.
Other notable characters in the novel include Roy Batty, the leader of the rogue replicants, who possesses a fierce intelligence and a strong will to survive, and who becomes Deckard's primary antagonist; Iran Deckard, Rick's wife, who provides a source of emotional support for Deckard amidst the turmoil of his profession; and Eldon Tyrell, the creator of the replicants, whose god-like ambitions and manipulation of life lead to devastating consequences. These characters, along with a host of others, populate the novel's rich narrative, each contributing to the exploration of themes surrounding humanity, empathy, and the blurred lines between man and machine.
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Philosophical questions and themes
The 1968 science fiction novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick explores several philosophical questions and themes. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the story revolves around Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (i.e., killing) fugitive androids. The novel delves into the nature of life, empathy, technology, and the human condition, blurring the lines between the human and the machine.
One of the central philosophical questions the novel poses is: What does it mean to be human? This question is explored through the character development of Rick Deckard, who starts as a selfish cop indifferent to android life but gradually evolves throughout the novel. The story challenges the binary opposition of values, blurring the lines between human and android, real and artificial, and empathy and indifference.
The novel also examines the relationship between humans and machines, raising questions about the implications of combining human emotions and technology. It introduces the concept of "Penfield mood organs," a technology that can induce any desired mood, further complicating the understanding of human emotions and their interplay with machines.
The theme of empathy is crucial to the novel, with the rise of a new religion called Mercerism, which uses "Empathy Boxes" to link users to a collective virtual reality of suffering. This technology-based religion encourages empathy towards animals, which have become a status symbol due to their rarity in a world ravaged by radiation poisoning.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? also delves into the nature of consciousness and the self. It explores the idea that androids, too, may dream, questioning what separates human consciousness from that of artificial beings. This exploration of the self is further examined through the lens of Jacques Lacan's essay on the mirror stage, which suggests that the formation of the self depends on the construction of an "Other" through imagery, such as a double in a mirror.
The novel's exploration of these philosophical questions and themes has had a profound influence on science fiction, shaping the cyberpunk genre and inspiring generations of writers and artists.
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Influence on science fiction
The 1968 science fiction novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick has had a profound influence on the genre. It is considered a founding document of the new wave science fiction movement and a basic model for its cyberpunk heirs. It has also influenced other genres, such as sci-fi-based metal from artists including Rob Zombie and Powerman 5000.
The novel explores the ethical dimensions of androids, blurring the lines between humans and androids, and asking profound philosophical questions about the nature of life, empathy, machine intelligence, religion, technology, and the human condition. It is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war, and follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who has to "retire" (i.e. kill) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids.
The novel's exploration of the relationship between humans and androids, and its themes of empathy and the dangers of humans becoming "mechanical", have had a significant impact on science fiction. The character of Deckard, who begins the novel as a selfish, self-involved cop who sees no value in android life, but whose experiences cause him to question his beliefs, is a key example of this.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? has also influenced other forms of media, including film, television, and anime. The 1982 film Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, is a loose adaptation of the novel, and the title was adopted for later editions of the book. The film has since become a franchise, with sequels, novels, games, comic books, and an anime series. The novel's themes and characters have also been referenced in other films, television shows, and anime, such as the American science fiction series Fringe, and the Japanese comedy anime Shimoneta: A Boring World Where The Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist.
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Cinematic adaptations
The 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick has had a number of cinematic adaptations. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war, leaving most animal species endangered or extinct. The main plot follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who is tasked with "retiring" (i.e. killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids, while a secondary plot follows John Isidore, a man of sub-par IQ who aids the fugitive androids.
The novel was first adapted into a film in 1982, titled Blade Runner. The film was directed by Ridley Scott and starred Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, a retired bounty hunter who is called back for one final job. While the film retained the feel of the novel, it differed in plot, with the hero ending up with the girl in the film. The film has since become a cult classic and led to a franchise, with novels, games, a sequel, comic books, and an anime series. The film also led to the novel being republished under the title Blade Runner: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
The 2017 sequel to Blade Runner, titled Blade Runner 2049, retains many themes from the novel. However, the film adaptation of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? has been criticised for jettisoning much of what made the novel special and focusing only on the android-hunting aspect.
In 2014, BBC Radio 4 broadcast a two-part radio adaptation of the novel as part of their Dangerous Visions dystopia series.
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Comparisons with other works
The novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick has had a profound influence on science fiction literature, film, and other media. It is considered a founding document of the new wave science fiction movement and a basic model for its cyberpunk heirs. It has also influenced other genres such as sci-fi-based metal music from artists including Rob Zombie and Powerman 5000.
The novel has been adapted into two films, "Blade Runner" (1982) and "Blade Runner: 2049" (2017), and has had a significant impact on Hollywood. The story and drama of the novel translate well to film, and the novel's intense observations about the nature of life, religion, technology, and the human condition provide rich material for adaptation. The film "Blade Runner," directed by Ridley Scott, features several of the novel's characters and retains many of its themes. The success of the first film led to a franchise, including novels, games, comic books, an anime series, and a sequel. The sequel, "Blade Runner 2049," explores many of the novel's elements and themes in more depth.
In addition to film adaptations, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" has inspired a range of creative works in various media. BOOM! Studios published a 24-issue comic book limited series based on the novel, which was nominated for "Best New Series" at the 2010 Eisner Awards. A prequel comic book series, "Dust to Dust," was also serialized by BOOM! Studios in 2010. The novel has also been adapted into a stage play and a radio drama by BBC Radio 4 as part of their Dangerous Visions dystopia series in 2014.
The novel has had a lasting impact on popular culture, with references and nods appearing in various works. Douglas Adams's "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" franchise includes a lullaby recited by Marvin the Paranoid Android, which ends with the verse: "Now I lay me down to sleep, Try to count electric sheep, Sweet dream wishes you can keep, How I hate the night." Stephen King's "Dark Tower V" features an android named "Andy," who is fed up with the way humans treat him. The title of the ninth episode of the Japanese comedy anime "Shimoneta: A Boring World Where The Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist" is also a nod to the novel, titled "Do Androids Dream of Electric Masseurs."
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" has also influenced other literary works. John Scalzi's 2006 science fiction novel "The Android's Dream" references Dick's novel in its title and explores similar themes of androids and artificial intelligence. The novel follows the journey of an ex-soldier, Harry Creek, who works to acquire a rare breed of sheep for the coronation ceremony of an alien race. Additionally, Dick's earlier novel "We Can Build You", which he did not publish until the 1970s, can be seen as a prequel to "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" as it details the invention of human-like robots.
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Frequently asked questions
The novel is a 1968 dystopian science fiction story by Philip K. Dick, set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war. It follows bounty hunter Rick Deckard, who stalks almost-human androids in a nuclear fallout-clouded, partially deserted future.
The novel brings up themes of empathy, machine intelligence, and the moral crisis of its protagonist. It also draws on Dick's common themes and addresses a range of humanity's most pressing concerns.
The novel was adapted into the 1982 film "Blade Runner," which overshadowed the novel's critical reception. Some later printings of the novel were retitled "Blade Runner: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" to reflect this connection.
The novel has influenced various works, including an episode of the American science fiction series "Fringe," titled "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?," and Stephen King's "Dark Tower V," which features an android named Andy.
Yes, BOOM! Studios published a 24-issue comic book limited series based on the novel, containing the full text and illustrated by artist Tony Parker. The comic was nominated for "Best New Series" at the 2010 Eisner Awards.
