Umair Gaines
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a 1968 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 damaged by a nuclear global war. It follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who has to kill six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. The novel has influenced generations of science fiction writers and inspired the 1982 film Blade Runner and its 2017 sequel, Blade Runner 2049.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title | Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? |
| Author | Philip K. Dick |
| Genre | Science fiction, dystopian, noir |
| Publication Year | 1968 |
| Setting | Post-apocalyptic San Francisco |
| Plot | Bounty hunter Rick Deckard must "retire" six escaped Nexus-6 model androids |
| Themes | Androids, humanity, the environment, corruption, stupidity |
| Adaptations | Blade Runner (1982 film), Blade Runner 2049 (2017 film), BBC Radio 4 adaptation, comic book series |
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![By Philip K. Dick - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (2012-02-16) [Paperback]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51s+NVQ6atL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Post-apocalyptic San Francisco
In the 1968 dystopian science fiction novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick, the setting of post-apocalyptic San Francisco is a crucial aspect of the story's atmosphere and themes. The plot is set in a futuristic 1992 (2021 in later editions) after a global war has rendered the Earth's atmosphere highly radioactive, causing widespread environmental damage and pushing many animal species to the brink of extinction.
San Francisco, once a bustling and vibrant city, now lies in ruins, scarred by the aftermath of the war. The city's iconic landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Transamerica Pyramid, stand damaged and abandoned, serving as haunting reminders of the past. The streets are empty, with only a few survivors struggling to rebuild their lives among the wreckage. The air is thick with radiation, requiring residents to wear protective gear or risk exposure.
The war has not only taken a toll on the city's infrastructure but also on its people. The surviving population of San Francisco is small and scattered, with many having perished in the war or fled to safer regions. Those who remain are tough and resilient, forced to adapt to the harsh new reality. They scavenge for supplies, trade in the black market, and form tight-knit communities to ensure their survival. Some, like the bounty hunter Rick Deckard, take on dangerous jobs, while others, like John Isidore, find themselves aiding fugitive androids in their quest for freedom.
The city's landscape is transformed, with once-lush parks and green spaces now barren and desolate. The war has left the land infertile, and the few remaining animals are highly prized. The sound of wildlife is absent, replaced by the eerie silence of a city that once bustled with life. The only signs of movement are the occasional androids, their mechanical footsteps echoing through the empty streets as they carry out their mysterious tasks.
Despite the grim setting, there is also a sense of hope and resilience in post-apocalyptic San Francisco. The survivors, though few, are determined to rebuild and create a new future. They adapt to their surroundings, finding innovative ways to survive and even thrive in this harsh environment. The city may never return to its former glory, but the human spirit persists, refusing to be extinguished even in the face of overwhelming odds.
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Androids vs. humans
The 1968 novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick explores the theme of 'Androids vs. Humans' in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian future. The story is set in a world where Earth's life has been devastated by a nuclear global war, rendering the atmosphere highly radioactive and causing the extinction or endangerment of most animal species.
The novel centres on the conflict between androids and humans, with a focus on the main character, Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (killing) escaped Nexus-6 model androids. This plot point immediately sets up a tension between the two groups, as humans are actively seeking to destroy androids, highlighting a power dynamic where humans view themselves as superior and in control.
However, the novel also presents a more nuanced view of this dynamic through its exploration of what it means to be human. In a world where the environment is becoming increasingly "alive" and "analogous to ourselves," as Dick notes in his 1972 speech, the line between androids and humans becomes blurred. This is further complicated by the presence of characters like John Isidore, who, despite having a sub-par IQ, displays empathy and aids the fugitive androids, challenging the notion of what constitutes 'human' behaviour.
The novel's influence on science fiction and other genres underscores its impact on popular culture. It has spawned sequels, cinematic adaptations, and comic book series, all of which continue to explore the complex relationship between androids and humans. The world Dick creates, where humans are threatened by their own creations, serves as a cautionary tale and prompts discussion about the potential consequences of technological advancement.
Ultimately, the novel invites readers to question the nature of humanity and the boundaries between man and machine. By presenting androids as more than just mechanical constructs, Dick challenges our assumptions about what separates us from our artificial counterparts, forcing us to examine our own humanity and the values that define us.
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Corruption and stupidity
In the novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick, the author intentionally imitates noir fiction styles, with a hard-boiled investigator navigating a brutal world filled with corruption and stupidity. This world is a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth has been devastated by nuclear global war, and most animal species are endangered or extinct.
The story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. The secondary plot centres on John Isidore, a man of sub-par IQ who assists the fugitive androids. The novel explores the risks of humans becoming "mechanical", threatening the reduction of what makes life valuable.
The novel's world is one of corruption and stupidity, where the environment has become quasi-alive, with machines, artificial constructs, and electronic systems dominating. This is reflected in the plot, where the line between human and machine is blurred, and the value of life is questioned. The androids themselves represent corruption, as they are artificial beings that threaten the natural order, and their presence highlights the stupidity of a world that has become reliant on machines and technology.
The character of John Isidore embodies the theme of stupidity, as his below-average IQ marks him as an outsider in a world that values intelligence and mechanical prowess. His role in aiding the androids further emphasises the novel's critique of a society that has become cold and unfeeling, where those who do not conform to the norm are marginalised.
The novel's exploration of corruption and stupidity extends beyond the individual characters and their actions, serving as a broader commentary on the dangers of a world overly reliant on technology and the potential consequences of such dependence.
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Animals: endangered or extinct
In the 1968 dystopian novel, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick, Earth's life has been devastated by a nuclear global war, resulting in most animal species becoming endangered or extinct. This theme of animal extinction and endangerment is a central concern of the story, which unfolds in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco.
The novel's protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. In this future world, the Earth's atmosphere has become highly radioactive, leading to the near-extinction of many animal species. This has had a profound impact on the surviving humans, some of whom, like Deckard, have become bounty hunters, while others, like John Isidore, a man of sub-par IQ, find themselves aiding fugitive androids.
The novel explores the impact of human-made machines and artificial constructs on the natural world, with Dick's famous 1972 speech, "The Android and the Human", elaborating on this theme. In the speech, Dick warns of the increasing danger of humans becoming "mechanical" and losing their empathy for the natural world and other life forms. This is reflected in the novel's portrayal of a world where animals are scarce and the value of life is constantly under threat.
The story's influence can be seen in the sci-fi genres of film and music, with the novel serving as the basis for the iconic 1982 film 'Blade Runner' and its 2017 sequel, 'Blade Runner 2049'. The film adaptations retained the novel's central theme of a world struggling with the consequences of a global war, where animal life has been pushed to the brink of extinction. This multi-media exploration of a world where "most animal species are now endangered or extinct" has had a lasting impact on popular culture and continues to spark conversations about the delicate balance between nature and technology.
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Rick Deckard: bounty hunter
Rick Deckard is the protagonist of Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' Deckard is a bounty hunter, tasked with 'retiring' (i.e. killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic future, after a global war has devastated Earth's ecosystem, rendering the atmosphere highly radioactive and causing mass extinctions of animal life.
Deckard's character embodies the hard-boiled detective trope, common in noir fiction, as he navigates a brutal, corrupt world with a cold, detached demeanour. The novel explores the impact of a man-made, technological environment on humanity, and the potential for this environment to become 'alive' or 'quasi-alive'.
Deckard's story continues in three authorised sequel novels, written by K.W. Jeter, a friend of Dick's. These novels attempt to bridge the differences between the original novel and its 1982 film adaptation, 'Blade Runner', which also featured Deckard as the main character. The film, directed by Ridley Scott, inspired a 2017 sequel, 'Blade Runner 2049', which retained many themes from Dick's novel.
The novel has had a significant influence on science fiction, particularly the cyberpunk subgenre, and has also inspired works in other mediums, including music and comics. A 24-issue comic book series published by BOOM! Studios, for example, featured the full text of the novel alongside illustrations by Tony Parker.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a 1968 dystopian science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick.
It is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war. The main plot follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who has to kill six escaped Nexus-6 model androids.
Dick was influenced by author Theodore Sturgeon, writer of 'More Than Human', a surrealistic story of humanity broken into different tiers, one controlling another through telepathic means.
Yes, it influenced generations of science fiction writers and became a founding document of the new wave science fiction movement. It also influenced other genres such as sci-fi-based metal from artists including Rob Zombie and Powerman 5000.
Yes, Hampton Fancher and David Peoples wrote a loose cinematic adaptation that became the film 'Blade Runner', released in 1982 and directed by Ridley Scott.
