preview

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep Character Analysis

Good Essays

In Philip K. Dick’s novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, the world has become a radioactive wasteland and people began to travel to Mars in search of more habitable land. Those deemed “worthy” of living on Mars are given an Android as a servant. Androids have become so human-like that they escaped captivity and bounty hunters are needed to kill them or as the novel refers to as “retiring”. On Earth, owning an animal is seen as a symbol of social status and is desired by many. The main character of the novel, Rick Deckard, struggles with the fact that he has neither a real animal nor a real connection with his wife, due to his occupation as an android retirer which goes against his wife’s, Iran, wishes. Rick and his wife were previously given a real sheep by Iran’s father when they first married, but after it passed away, he was forced to settle with an electric sheep. However, owning an electric animal is seen as a less desirable substitute for real animals, making him feel inadequate. Throughout the novel, Rick Deckard is driven to acquire his own real animal similar to his desire for an intimate relationship. The parallels between his quest for a real animal and his subliminal desire for intimacy with another woman are demonstrated by his dissatisfaction with his marriage, willingness to do anything to gain the relationship with either the animal or partner, and insensitivity to other’s feelings. Due to the strong contrast with her husband, Iran and Rick display

Get Access