Science fiction, focuses its literature on the human being confronting a transition regarding his environment, encountering scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and drastic changes in society and in nature. Throughout the texts authors focus to provide “What if?” questions pushing both the author & reader to different possibilities and outcomes. Sci-Fi tries to explain all known to existence; this genre is mainly focused in the society as a whole, how the humans got to be what they are, and what will be in the future. Philip K. Dick, a famous Sci-Fi author of the 20th century, has exposed and satirized the selfishness of the human being throughout his short stories, such as “Souvenir”, “Foster You’re Dead”, and “Beyond Lies The
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Dick introduces the effect of consumerism and capitalist society in his short story “Foster You’re Dead” which takes place in mid 1940’s after World War II. Dick illustrates the consumerism that exists in the society after the Cold War, in which companies abuse of people's fear and benefitting from it in a financial sense.. He often portrays this fear of being left out, with both Foster and his mother begging Bob Foster to buy the shelter. This fear of their death and exclusion of the society, is a way to show how much the society makes the human depend on the consumerism to fit certain ideology. Philip K. Dick criticizes the companies and stores, who prefer to sell an idea to the public, and have personal benefit, rather than actually selling an item which actually has a purpose. It’s just a business, and selfishness from part of the retailers, “they want you to keep buying. They keep putting out new ones as fast as they can.” (Dick, 7) they indoctrinate the consumer to believe every new model is a “need” and very different version than the previous one. The effect that capitalism created in the USA was a division between the masses and at the time the country was “sliding and slipping back to the Middle Ages. Raising our separate armies.” (Dick 10) Capitalism made every household independent as a unit, selfish, searching for personal benefit. The country was separated, and Dick shows how after the time of consumerism, the society became egocentric; in moments …show more content…
Dick continues to use his theme of the selfishness of the human being, with his short story “Beyond Lies the Wub”. This time, Dick satirizes the selfishness of the human by showing the marginalization of the masses and dehumanization of living creatures. Dick resembles Captain Franco to the World Powers at the time (Russia & Spain with Franco) and their actions during times of social conflicts, while also showing the feeling of superiority of Captain Franco compared to the wub and his troop. Captain Franco takes decisions by his own without considering the opinion of the others, while he fears the wub, which represents the population of these world powers. This government's only seeked personal satisfaction without taking into consideration the thoughts of their population, often scared of their rebellion. They only cared in becoming a bigger power, “but wouldn’t it be more in accord with [their] principles of democracy if [they] all drew straws, or something along the line?” (Dick 6) taking into consideration what is best for the country and what their inhabitants want rather than looking for personal benefit. Also, Dick uses Franco to show the dehumanization of the characters, because the wub appears to be the most humane out of all. He often talks about philosophy alluding to Odysseus, he uses a more stilted vocabulary and a more advanced knowledge; the captain refuses to accept his lack of intelligence compared to the wub because he still feels superior
Dick introduces the effect of consumerism and capitalist society in his short story “Foster You’re Dead” which takes place in mid 1940’s after World War II. Dick illustrates the consumerism that exists in the society after the Cold War, in which companies abuse of people's fear and benefitting from it in a financial sense.. He often portrays this fear of being left out, with both Foster and his mother begging Bob Foster to buy the shelter. This fear of their death and exclusion of the society, is a way to show how much the society makes the human depend on the consumerism to fit certain ideology. Philip K. Dick criticizes the companies and stores, who prefer to sell an idea to the public, and have personal benefit, rather than actually selling an item which actually has a purpose. It’s just a business, and selfishness from part of the retailers, “they want you to keep buying. They keep putting out new ones as fast as they can.” (Dick, 7) they indoctrinate the consumer to believe every new model is a “need” and very different version than the previous one. The effect that capitalism created in the USA was a division between the masses and at the time the country was “sliding and slipping back to the Middle Ages. Raising our separate armies.” (Dick 10) Capitalism made every household independent as a unit, selfish, searching for personal benefit. The country was separated, and Dick shows how after the time of consumerism, the society became egocentric; in moments …show more content…
Dick continues to use his theme of the selfishness of the human being, with his short story “Beyond Lies the Wub”. This time, Dick satirizes the selfishness of the human by showing the marginalization of the masses and dehumanization of living creatures. Dick resembles Captain Franco to the World Powers at the time (Russia & Spain with Franco) and their actions during times of social conflicts, while also showing the feeling of superiority of Captain Franco compared to the wub and his troop. Captain Franco takes decisions by his own without considering the opinion of the others, while he fears the wub, which represents the population of these world powers. This government's only seeked personal satisfaction without taking into consideration the thoughts of their population, often scared of their rebellion. They only cared in becoming a bigger power, “but wouldn’t it be more in accord with [their] principles of democracy if [they] all drew straws, or something along the line?” (Dick 6) taking into consideration what is best for the country and what their inhabitants want rather than looking for personal benefit. Also, Dick uses Franco to show the dehumanization of the characters, because the wub appears to be the most humane out of all. He often talks about philosophy alluding to Odysseus, he uses a more stilted vocabulary and a more advanced knowledge; the captain refuses to accept his lack of intelligence compared to the wub because he still feels superior