It’s Alive? Bias Towards Artificial Life in Frankenstein, Blade Runner, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, and Klara and the Sun Open Access

Lee, Christopher (Spring 2023)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/1544bq461?locale=en
Published

Abstract

This thesis examines how portrayals of artificial life have changed over time in Anglo-American science fiction. The primary literature explored involves an early work with Frankenstein, a later work with Blade Runner and its novel counterpart Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, as well as a current work with Klara and the Sun. This thesis analyzes the trends in how the artificial creatures from these works are treated by the human characters, as well as how the artificial creatures influence the human society in which they exist. Through this analysis, this thesis will predict how our American society could possibly react if such an artificial creature came to exist in our own world. The observations noted by this thesis are that there has been an increase in the humanization of the artificial creatures over time. However, they never receive the respect and dignity given to a human. Rather, humans themselves lose respect and dignity as these artificial creatures surpass them. Thus, the prediction of this thesis is that should such creatures ever come to exist in our American society, the value of humanity would fade. 

Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1

Chapter 1: Inhuman Appearance in Frankenstein ........................................................................................ 6

Subsection 1: The Earliest Portrayal ......................................................................................................... 6

Subsection 2: The Maker’s View .............................................................................................................. 9

Subsection 3: The Community’s View ................................................................................................... 13

Subsection 4: The Creature’s View ........................................................................................................ 16

Subsection 5: Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 19

Chapter 2: Testing Humanity in Blade Runner and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? .................... 20

Subsection 1: Continued Rejection ......................................................................................................... 20

Subsection 2: Measuring Empathy ......................................................................................................... 24

Subsection 3: What Defines Humanity? ................................................................................................. 27

Subsection 4: Comparing the Replicants with the Creature .................................................................... 31

Subsection 5: Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 33

Chapter 3: Human Obsolescence in Klara and the Sun .............................................................................. 34

Subsection 1: A Perfect Specimen .......................................................................................................... 34

Subsection 2: Replacing Humanity ......................................................................................................... 39

Subsection 3: Societal Impact ................................................................................................................. 42

Subsection 4: Slow Fade ......................................................................................................................... 45

Subsection 5: Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 47

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 48

Works Cited ................................................................................................................................................ 49

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement
  • Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.
School
Department
Degree
Submission
Language
  • English
Research Field
Keyword
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor
Committee Members
Last modified

Primary PDF

Supplemental Files