Victoria Fox
English 120
October 30, 2009
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
In his classic science fiction novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K.
Dick explores issues of human identity and morality set against a backdrop of a futuristic world
where Artificial Intelligence runs rampant. The story follows Rick Deckard, a man who is
employed to terminate androids who illegally live on earth. Deckard, as the novel progresses,
struggles to maintain and define his own humanity as he terminates androids—creatures who so
hauntingly mimic humans. The story of Rick Deckard is one that is decades ahead of its time.
The reader sympathizes with him and is deeply affected by the question he struggles with
throughout the book - what happens when machines are built to act and think exactly like us, if
not better? As Deckard confronts these androids, he begins to question his own morality—going
so far as to wonder if he himself is even human. Deckard deals with complex inner arguments,
while trying to determine who he is, and if his reality is actually correct. Despite the fact that
both the film Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott and the novel, Do Androids Dream of
Electric Sheep? written by Philip K. Dick, revolve around the central character, Rick Deckard,
there are distinct differences in his perception of himself and his identity. In the film, the
character Rick Deckard has a stronger perception of his identity and his place in society than the
Deckard in the novel, who attempts to better his life through payment for the execution, or
“retirement”, of androids. Both, however, experience passion towards the androids which they
were trained to have no emotion towards and destroy.
In the film Blade Runner, the Deckard is depicted as a retired bounty hunter, past his
prime. He also lives alone, without the companionship of a wife or pet in a messy, unkempt
apartment. This speaks volumes about his sense of self; he prefers to isolate himself from the
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outside world. This can be translated into the reality that he has no one to care about him but
himself. As any person in his situation would do, he has became hardened and grown
accustomed to working alone as well. He shows no motivation to look within himself and
question his identity— he believes he already knows, given his conceited attitude. This is
demonstrated when he shows no remorse over killing androids, even after having had intimate
relations with one of them. This character shows no desire to seek out his identity; rather he
defines himself solely through his work. The one similarity that conects the novel and the film
are that “[both] still hold the basic search for humanity by both mankind and the androids.
Though other means are instead brought into use.”( Analysis, pg. 13). This supports the idea that
there are few similarities between the same character in both forms of media. They use different
methods to search for what they think is humanity; the novel Deckard sympathizes with
androids, the film Deckard kills them determinedly for his job, which he firmly believes to be a
good cause.
In the novel, Deckard is portrayed as questioning and trying to develop himself. He cares
for his wife, and an electric sheep which he wishes were real- the novel stresses the fact that
caring for an animal is a very human trait which should be aspired to and gives a person a
purposeful place in society. This could be another reason as to why Rick is unhappy with his lifeat one point he wishfully inquires as to the price of a real ostrich, only to find that the electronic
would be easier in reach for someone on his present salary. Over and over, he is denied
something organic which he can tend to. Even when he shows compassion and a certain amount
of love for the android Rachel Rosen, he knows that she is artificial. Throughout the novel, Rick
battles with his desire for love, which is only capable with something not artificial. The reader is
quickly drawn deeper into the character of Rick Deckard- we are shown his inner most thoughts,
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rather than just watching him on a screen, carrying out actions without narrative. His character
develops, because we are allowed inside his mind. For example, in one scene, Deckard actually
asks, “Do you think androids have souls?” (p. 135), revealing his insecurities about the nature of
his work. But there is a very noticeable difference between him in the beginning, middle and end
of the novel. In the beginning, he simply cares about earning money from the destruction of
androids. However, as he continues to retire androids he comes to a realization that, “[He’s]
begun to empathize with androids,” and that “… [He] never felt like that before,” (p. 174).
Ultimately, he sleeps with Rachel, which forces him to see her as almost human, because he did
something so human with her. This leads him to believe that he can never kill another android
like her ever again. By the end, Deckard quits his job, realizing that he cannot continue being a
bounty hunter “[He] know[s] it’s wrong” (p. 178). This change of events shows a definite
evolution of character and development of identity for Deckard; he realizes that what he wanted
all along will simply not be attainable if he continues to chase after these cold and uncaring
machines, after the murder of his goat.
I think that the major differences in portrayal by the two forms of media are the way that
Rick evolves throughout the story. In the film, he seems cold and heartless, almost mechanical.
In the novel, he shows concern for others, as well as for his own humanity. It seems as if his ego
evolves. But, as Sherry Turkle explains, “there is no such thing as ‘the ego,’ that each of us is a
multiplicity of parts, fragments, and desiring connections” (pg. 5). Therefore, we can assume that
his evolution was more a hidden desire to sympathise to begin with. The reader watches as
Deckard develops empathy for the androids and through this empathy discovers his own
humanity. He does not want to become an android, while in the film he could easily be mistaken
for one. The fact that Rick is more sensitive in the novel can, however, be attributed to the very
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nature of a novel; in other words, a novel goes into much greater detail concerning a characters
thoughts and insecurities. The film, however, gives the audience some insight by providing
voiceovers, such as when Deckard reflects to himself, wondering how the android Rachel could
seem upset, and why he would feel so bad for causing it: “Replicants weren't supposed to have
feelings. Neither were Blade Runners. What the hell was happening to [him]?” (Script)
Nevertheless, both the film and the novel versions of Deckard raise disturbing questions upon the
nature of humanity and whether or not it can exist in the face of brutality.
Works Cited
Blade Runner: The Final Cut. Dir. Ridley Scott. Perf. Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer,
Sean Young, Daryl Hannah. Warner Brothers, 2007. Film.
Dick, Philip K. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? 1968. Introduction Roger
Zelazny. New York: Random House-Del Rey, 1975. Print.
Turkle, Sherry. "Cyberspace and Identity." Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum:
Brief Edition. Ed. Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen. New York: PearsonLongman, 2004. 123-132. Print.
Akimbo. "Analysis of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? And Blade Runner” 11/3/2008
< http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2360483/Analysis-of-Do-Androids-Dream-of-Electric-Sheepand-Blade-Runner>. Web.
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Perenchio, Jerry and Yorkin, Bud, “Blade Runner: The Script” November 8, 2009
< http://www.trussel.com/bladerun.htm>. Web.
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