Beatrice Lang
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is a 1968 novel by Philip K. Dick that explores the consequences of creation and what it means to be human. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco following World War III, where the remaining humans covet real animals and, for those who cannot afford them, companies build incredibly realistic fakes. The story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with finding rogue androids that look, sound, and think like humans. The novel has been adapted into a film, 'Blade Runner', and a graphic novel series.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Philip K. Dick |
| Setting | San Francisco |
| Plot | Rick is tasked with finding six rogue androids, but falls in love with one of them. |
| Themes | Empathy, humanity, segregation, civil rights, identity, morality |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Format | Novel, comic, graphic novel |
| Awards | Eisner Award-nominated, Hugo Award |
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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
Empathy and humanity
In 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick, the reader is left questioning what it means to be human. The novel is set in a post-World War society where the Earth has been covered in radioactive dust, causing mass extinctions and prompting many to flee to other planets. The remaining population on Earth covets living creatures, and for those who cannot afford them, companies build incredibly realistic fakes.
The protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter tasked with finding rogue androids. These androids are machines that look, sound, and think like humans, but they are missing key human qualities such as empathy. Deckard himself struggles with empathy, getting into ridiculous fights with those around him. Despite this, he is obsessed with obtaining a living animal instead of an electric one.
The novel presents a cat-and-mouse game, but the central problem is one of moral choice. Deckard must grapple with the question of what it means to be human and whether empathy is a uniquely human condition. The androids, who lack empathy, serve as a symbol of inequality, mirroring the treatment of marginalised groups in society.
The exploration of empathy and humanity in 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is a reflection of the civil rights movement and the struggle for equality. The novel invites readers to consider the nature of empathy and its role in defining our humanity. It also raises questions about the potential consequences of technology on our understanding of what it means to be human.
The novel has been adapted into a graphic novel series and served as the basis for the film 'Blade Runner'. The story's exploration of empathy and humanity remains a central theme across these different mediums, showcasing its enduring relevance and providing a thought-provoking experience for audiences.
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Post-apocalyptic world
The world-building in 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is one of its most impressive features. Set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, the city is covered in a cloud of radioactive dust, a result of the third world war. This has caused the extinction of many animals, and the degradation of mankind.
The novel explores a world where the desire to own a living creature is a sign of wealth and status. The war has driven people off-planet, and those who remain on Earth are forced to make do with incredibly realistic fakes—electric animals. These include horses, birds, cats, and sheep, and even humans. The novel's protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter tasked with finding rogue androids that look, sound, and think like humans.
The post-apocalyptic setting is a bleak one, with nature in a state of ultimate decline, and the collapse of ecology. The war has resulted in a moral decline, with the protagonist noting that "You will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life, to be required to violate your own identity". The novel's world is one where the struggle to keep one's identity and humanity is a constant battle.
The novel's exploration of the post-apocalyptic world is not limited to its physical setting, but also delves into the philosophical and psychological implications of such a world. It examines the nature of humanity and what it means to be human, with empathy being a key factor in distinguishing humans from androids. The androids, in turn, serve as a symbol of inequality, reflecting the civil rights movement of the time.
The world of 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is a fully-realized, complex, and thought-provoking setting that serves as the perfect backdrop for the novel's exploration of its themes.
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Real vs. unreal
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick is a novel that explores the blurred lines between the real and the unreal. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the story is centred in San Francisco, which is covered in radioactive dust following a world war that drove many animal species to extinction. The novel follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with finding and "retiring" a group of rogue androids that have revolted against their human owners. These androids are machines that look, sound and think like humans, raising questions about what it means to be human.
The novel delves into the concept of "real vs. unreal" by examining the nature of consciousness and the role of empathy. The androids in the story often lack the ability to show empathy, which becomes a key factor in distinguishing them from humans. This theme of empathy is a significant aspect of the novel that is underemphasised in the film adaptations, such as 'Blade Runner'. The ability to feel and understand emotions is explored as a uniquely human trait, and the androids' lack of empathy leads to their segregation and inhumane treatment, mirroring societal issues such as the civil rights movement.
The presence of "electric animals" further blurs the line between reality and unreality. Due to the extinction of many animal species, people in the novel covet living creatures, and for those who cannot afford real animals, incredibly realistic fakes are built. These "electric animals" include a range of species, such as horses, birds, cats, and sheep. The protagonist, Deckard, himself struggles with the decision to continue "retiring" these electric animals, reflecting the ambiguity between what is real and what is not.
The novel also touches on the idea of self-awareness and the search for purpose. It explores what might happen when a created being, such as an android or a work of art, becomes aware of itself and its creator. This theme adds another layer to the discussion of "real vs. unreal," as it delves into the consciousness and motivations of both humans and androids.
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is a thought-provoking work that invites readers to question the nature of reality and the essence of what makes us human. Through its exploration of empathy, consciousness, and the blurred lines between the real and the unreal, the novel presents a complex and intriguing vision of a world where the boundaries between humans and machines are uncertain.
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Nature and ecology
The novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick is set in a post-apocalyptic world after a Third World War that has driven many animal species to extinction and forced mankind to seek refuge on other planets. The story is set in San Francisco, which is covered in a cloud of radioactive dust, causing the extinction of many animals.
The remaining population on Earth covets any living creature, and for those who cannot afford real animals, companies build incredibly realistic fakes, including horses, birds, cats, and sheep. The protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter tasked with finding rogue androids that have revolted. Deckard himself struggles with the desire to own a living animal instead of the fake electric ones he can afford.
The novel explores themes of nature and ecology through the lens of a world where animals have become scarce and are highly valued. It raises questions about the relationship between humans and the natural world, the impact of human actions on the environment, and the consequences of ecological collapse.
The story also delves into the concept of "electric sheep," which serves as a metaphor for the artificial and the unreal. The electric animals in the story highlight the contrast between the natural and the synthetic, inviting readers to contemplate the value and significance of nature in a world where it has become increasingly rare.
Furthermore, the novel addresses the civil rights movement and societal conflicts through the treatment of androids as symbols of unequal figures. The lack of empathy displayed by the androids in the story becomes a crucial aspect of distinguishing them from humans, reflecting the segregation and inequality prevalent in society at the time.
Overall, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' presents a thought-provoking exploration of nature and ecology in a post-apocalyptic world, inviting readers to consider the importance of the natural world and the potential consequences of its decline.
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Film vs. book
The 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick 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) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. Due to the radiation, people are encouraged to move to off-world colonies, with the incentive of free androids. Deckard hopes that his mission will earn him enough money to buy a live animal to replace his electric sheep, which would comfort his depressed wife, Iran.
The novel influenced generations of science fiction writers, becoming a founding document of the new wave science fiction movement and a basic model for its cyberpunk heirs. It also influenced other genres such as sci-fi-based metal from artists including Rob Zombie and Powerman 5000. Hampton Fancher and David Peoples wrote a loose cinematic adaptation that became the film Blade Runner, released in 1982, featuring several of the novel's characters.
While the film adaptation retains many of the novel's themes, there are some discrepancies between the two works. The film, directed by Ridley Scott, is set in a futuristic 1992 (2021 in later editions) and focuses on the android-hunting aspect of the story. It explores the moral issues involved and depicts a beautifully designed world. However, it does not fully capture the novel's setting of a dilapidated Earth, where the government, police, and businesses are still functioning, albeit in a shabby state.
Despite these differences, fans of the film may still appreciate the novel, as it provides additional depth and context to the story. The novel explores philosophical questions about humanity, empathy, and the consequences of creation. It also highlights the protagonist's struggle with moral choices and the importance of maintaining one's human qualities in a post-apocalyptic world.
In conclusion, while the film Blade Runner is a thought-provoking and visually stunning adaptation, the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? offers a richer exploration of the story's themes and provides additional insights into the characters and their motivations. Both works complement each other and can be appreciated for their unique contributions to the science fiction genre.
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Frequently asked questions
The novel is set in San Francisco after a World War that has covered the city in radioactive dust, leading to the extinction of many animals. It explores the philosophical question of what makes someone human and whether androids can acquire human traits like empathy.
The novel was written by Philip K. Dick and was first published in 1968.
The novel explores themes such as the consequences of the act of "Creation", the problem of empathy, segregation, civil rights, and the anxieties of the sixties, including the threat of nuclear war and ecological collapse.
The novel served as the source material for the film "Blade Runner", directed by Ridley Scott and released in 1982. While the film adapts the novel's premise, there are significant discrepancies between the two works, including differences in the treatment of the character Rachael.
Reviews on Goodreads are mixed, with some readers praising the novel as a masterpiece and one of the foundation stones of the science fiction genre, while others criticise the prose as "bad and juvenile". Some readers also found the scenes of animal cruelty disturbing.
