Science fiction novels and their cultural impact

Utopias Explored: THE TIME MACHINE and BLADE RUNNER

Science Fiction and Film

Utopian Societies Explored

The Ancient Greek work for "no place," utopia has come down to modern readers as something to be the ideal -- the Eden. The actual word comes from the Greek 'ou -- not' and 'topos -- place,' and was coined in the modern sense by the title of a 1516 book written by Sir Thomas Moore. More's Utopia describes a fictional island possessing a seemingly perfect society in which social, legal, political and cultural systems act in harmony and are ideal for humans (Manuel).

The reverse, dystopia, is life that is characterized by poverty, oppression, suffering, unhappiness, and the lack of basic human rights. The irony and use of the term arises from much of utopian literature and the juxtaposition between the utopian ideals of certain societies with the realities of the way that society actually functions.

Within the utopian/dystopian society, however, numerous common themes arise. Since society consists of multidimensional parts, there is, of course, the necessity to ingrain the norms, values and basic cultural structures within that society, and for future generations. Thus, each society needs to perpetuate itself with the "right" type that will allow it to continue.

The idea of utopia/dystopia has been popular for hundreds of writers, particularly in the science-fiction genre. When writers explore the political and social structures of their age, or reflect on the past, it is logical to ask the major question of -- What if? Utopian fiction explores the idea of creating an ideal society; while dystopian fiction is the opposite - a degraded society. Most writers combine both because as humans, we have choices. Indeed, what is ideal for some is less than ideal for others. Interestingly, prior to 1900 more than 400 utopian works were published, after 1900 literally thousands have been published, while a good many have made the jump from the page to film (Sargent).

Of the hundreds and hundreds of utopian/dystopian novels that have been made into movies, most all share many common themes: the control of one part of society (or species) over the other. For instance, in 1984, George Orwell imagines a future London in 2540 AD. The novel anticipates genetic manipulation, sleep-learning, psychological control methods and a change to society that initially seems positive -- wiping out the negative emotions, thoughts, and actions of humans -- and replacing them with the "appropriate concepts." (1984). Modern reality can sometimes be best expressed in fiction -- a non-threatening way that allows society to critique and discuss sensitive ideas. These ideas are represented quite well in a fictional 1997 movie, "Gattaca" -- named to represent the four DNA bases (Guanine, Adenine, Thymine, and Adenine). Society has evolved to one driven by liberal eugenics. Children of the wealthier classes are selected and designed through genetic manipulation to ensure they harbor only the best, most desirable, genetic makeup. A national genetic registry uses biometrics to classify those as "Valids" as well as those of the lesser classes, known as "In-Valids." Valids are qualified for professional employment, based only on their genetic profile, not their ability. The main character, Vincent, is an "In-Valid" who is expected to live only 30.2 years because of a heart defect, but dreams of being an astronaut He impersonates a "Valid," Jerome, who botched his own suicide and became paralyzed. By "purchasing" blood and urine from Jerome, Vincent's gifts allow him to rise to the top of his class in aerospace school, ending up next in line for a space mission, thus defeating the utopian society (Schellenberg).

Both of these films are germane to the analysis of two of the most important works in science-fiction in the genre: The Time Machine and Blade Runner. Like 1984, authors H.G. Wells and Philip K. Dick imagine a future world based on the unique trends they see from the present. Similar to Gattaca, the worlds of both become polarized based on a combination of technology and genetics. In both novels, the general idea of a utopia becomes quite dark, and dystopian themes run rampant - primarily in the lack of wisdom that causes the protagonist to rethink his own individuality and core values.

Wells and The Time Machine -- H.G. Wells (1866-1946) was an English author who wrote novels in several genres. Today he is best known for his science fiction, producing such classics as The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, and The Invisible Man. He considered the world state to be inevitable, and anticipated globalism by 50 years. Wells believed in improving society, so much so that he was a supporter of the theory of eugenics. In fact, some see the Morlock race to be his commentary on allowing genetic inferiorities to thrive (Levy and Peart).

The Time Machine was published in 1895. Wells coined the term in the novel, and is likely the source of the popularization of the idea of time travel by using a device to move forward or backwards in time. Wells wrote about time travel before The Time Machine, and was intrigued by the concept based largely on his socialist views. He found that society was not as evolved or positive as it should be, and dared to imagine what was ahead for humanity if something was not done to encourage optimism and equality (Batchelor, 9-13).

The polot focuses on an English scientist and inventory simply called "The Time Traveller." This gentlemen is part of an intellectual group that has a weekly dinner to discuss ideas and hypothesize about the future. The Time Traveller tells his guests that he has built a machine and invites them to return next week to hear about his adventures. The Time Travellers tests his device and moves into the future, 802,701 AD. Here, he meets a society of childlike people called the Elio. The Eloi live in small, rural communities while all around them are slowly deteriorating structures. The Eloi eat only fruit, and the Time Traveller becomes frustrated because they do not seem to be curious and spend their days "playing." When he returns to the clearing in which he landed, his machine has been moved. He tracks it to a large pyramid-like structure in which he later finds out is inhabited by another race, the Morlocks. The Morlocks are ape-like troglodytes who live underground and surface only at night. However, The Time Traveler also discovers that the Morlocks maintain the machinery to make the above-ground paradise possible, and farm the Eloi like cattle. Attempting to recover his machine, The Time Traveller enters the realm of the Morlocks and escapes ahead to 30 million years from his own time. He sees a dying Earth, large crab-like creatures and no humans. He travels even more, and finally sees the Earth die as the sun burns out. Returning to the laboratory just three hours after he originally left, he tells his tale, his evidence two strange flowers. Returning to the house the next day, the reader finds The Time Traveller preparing for yet another journey. While he promises to return in 30 minutes, three years later there is no sign of him (Wells).

Dick and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep- Philip K. Dick (1928-1982) was an American novelist who focused primarily on science fiction. His primary focus was on the political, sociological, and metaphysical themes found in authoritarian governments and monopolistic and controlling corporations. He drew upon his own troubled experience to explore drug abuse, paranoia and schizophrenia, but despite remaining in near-poverty, wrote 44 novels and 121 short stories. Eight of his works have been made into feature films, and in 2007 he became the first science fiction writer to be part of the Library of America series (Library of America to Issue Volume of Philp K. Dick; Platt).

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is a 1968 novel that was retitled Blade Runner for film. The novel is set in 1992 or 2021, depending on the edition, and is focused on a society in which Earth's population has been damaged by radition from World War Terminus. The United Nations encourages the remaining citizens to emigrate to off-world colonies, in the hope of preserving the human race. The government incents individuals by giving each emigrant an "andy," or servant android. The story is set around San Francisco, the protagonist is Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter. Androids are used only in the colonies, yet many escape back to Earth to flee the psychological isolation and slavery they believe has been placed upon them. These androids are made of biological materials and physically identical to humans, but are still considered nothing more than "pieces of machinery." Bounty hunters "retire" fugitive androids, a euphamism for killing them. The difficulty for Deckard and his cadre is that as technology evolved, identifying androids has become more difficult. The earlier models had limited intelligence and were easily identified through a Voigt-Kampff test of empathy, designed to evoke strong emotional responses. Because early androids were not sympathetic or emotional, they either had no responses or were slow to master the emotionality of the test. Deckard travels to Seattle to interview Rachel, who eventually fails his test. This is explained to Deckard as Rachel lacks normal empathy because of being raised in space. Later, Deckard verifies that Rachel is indeed an android -- a Nexus Six, or top of the line model. This, and his own feelings of self-doubt about the humanity of "retiring" another being, cause him to philosophize about the morality of his era. Interwoven with Deckard's doubt is the store of J.R. Isidore, a genetically -- damaged individual who lives alone. Pris, an idential twin to Rachel, moves into the building and J.R. befriends her. Pris and her friends attempt to use J.R. To trap Deckard, but Deckard asks Rachel for help and confesses that he is in love with her. Rachel reveals that she has used her sexual powers to convince other bounty hunters not to do their job, but instead of retiring her, he returns her to Rosen Industries, the manufacturer of the androids. Deckard then kills Pris and her friends, leaving Isidore alone and in grief, but earning a citation for the number of kills in one day. Returning home, his wife reports that she saw Rachel kill his new genuine pet goat by thowring it off the buildin roof. Deckard is at a loss, and travels to Oregon to meditate, finding a toad that he thinks is original. Returning home to resume his duties, Deckard finds that the toad is artifical; something that makes him ponder the banality of life even more (Dick).

The Time Machine in Film- The Time Machine has been made into film several times; the classic George Pal version in 1960, a 1978 television version, and a 2002 film directed by Simon Wells (the great-grandson of H.G. Wells). While there are subtle differences in dialog, the plot of the films remains relatively similar. The focus of the film versions become more of a romance between The Time Traveler and the Eloi woman, Weena, and less about the philosophical state of the dystopian world. The 1960 version is more simplistic, and the tension comes from the notion of the good/evil dilemma. The special-effects, of course, are fantastic for the time, but seem quite primitive to a contemporary audience. The major theoretical basis of the novel, that of the question of society, is given less than a few sentences. In fact, the importance of the analysis between feudalism and the future, or what might happen to a truly socialist society, that is so critical to Well's novel, is lost. The Time Traveler's theory that human intelligence is the result of conflict and danger and with no real challenge faced by the Eloi or Morlock, there is no reason for spirit, intelligence, drive, and actualization. However, as entertainment, the three adaptations (television without commercials in this case) are interesting. The 1960 version is truer to the novel in terms of the Eloi and Morlock societies; whereas the 2002 version includes the more modern theme of "time paradox" and changing of history based on actions in the past or future. The nature of evil is far clearer in the 2002 version, there is a Chief Morlock who is more evolved and conversant, whereas in the 1960 version the race is brutish, but lack any malice or will -- they are simply carnivores feeding the only way they know how (The Time Machine)

Blade Runner in Film- Blade Runner is admittedly loosely based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. It is a 1982 film directed by Ridley Scott, starting Harrison Ford as Deckard, Rutger Haeuer as Roy, the leader of the Nexus-6 group, and Sean Young as Rachel. The film is set in Los Angeles in 2019. Deckard has retired (literally) but is threatened enough that he reluctantly agrees to come back to retire a group of Nexus-Six androids: Leon, Roy, Zhora, and Pris. Each android has been programmed to live only a limited amount of time, something Roy's group wants to correct. Sent to the Tyrell Corporation to ensure that his test works on the Nexus-Six models, Deckard meets Rachel, and experimental android who believes herself to be human. Meanwhile, one of Tyrell's designers, J.R. Sebastian, an oddly quirky character with a genetic disorder that increases his aging, befriends Pris and is introduced to the leader of the group, Roy. Roy convinces Sebastian to take him to the owner of Tyrell Corporation's private suite, at which time he begs his maker for more time while confessing that he has done "questionable things." Tyrell dismisses Roy's feelings of guilt, assuring him that he is of an advanced design and cannot do wrong. In a powerful scene, Roy kisses Tyrell then kills him. Meanwhile, Deckard has retired Leon and Zhora, and manages to kill Pris just before Roy arrives. In their fight, Deckard is hanging from a rooftop, but Roy saves him -- and just as Roy's time of life is ticking away, he tells Deckard that he is sad because his memories will be lost. Deckard returns home, noting that Rachel has been spared "retiring" from the police, and, depending on the version, either leave the apartment in uncertainty, or drive through a more idyllic escape from civilization

Analysis and Effectiveness- Neither adaptation of the novels is completely true to the authors' form and intent. That is not to say that there are no redeeming qualities in each, but only that some of the original core philosophies are diminished, likely to provide for more action and less dialog. Sad though it may be, audiences and box office dollars drive screenwriting -- the audience expects human interest -- Weena and The Traveler, Deckard and Rachel, and seems to identify more with the pathos and choices made when dealing with a romantic relationship than with any inner turmoil or angst.