The Electric Ant by Philip K Dick
The Electric Ant by Philip K DickIn the short story The Electric Ant, Philip. K. Dick is expressing his sarcastical opinion of man in society and man’s inability to distinguish between the truth and fantasy. Using his main character’s life, Garson Poole, the author illustrates teh delusion of mankind’s freedom. This delusion is demonstrated by three components of Garson’s life: his automated reality chip, and his emotional and physical makeup as an oranic robot.
Garson Poole who, prior to his detection of the reality chip was under the impression that he was exempted from all the world’s restraints, finds himself in a bliss of confusion when he realizes that his life is being dictated by an automated reality tape. The presents of this mechanical apparatus symbolizes the conditioning man inherits from parents and others to conform and be accepted by society. This reality gadget restricts Garson from certain thoughts and certain actions and forces him into others. Unaware of his programming, Garson represents man’s naive attitudes towards the forces of the mass. With the discovery of the reality tape, Garson than understands that his life is inflexible and determined by a tape, and accepts his circumstance. This awakening dissloves the mirage of his freedom, an awareness that so many of mankind lack.
The facade of Garson’s freedom, was disguised by his physical apperance...
To view the complete essay, you be registered.