Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep Analysis

Written in 1968 by Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is a dystopian novel set place in the year 2021 that follows Rick Deckard, an android bounty hunter living in a post apocalyptic San Francisco, California. The world, and the lives of those living in it, changed drastically due to World War Terminus. The war produced nuclear waste that resulted in radioactive dust that covered the entire Earth; resulting in the death of most animals and the encouragement for humans to relocate to colonies on Mars in an attempt to survive. The radioactive dust caused a drastic decrease in animals, thus increasing their rarity, importance, and value in the world. Real animals serve as a sign of wealth and status compared to their counterparts;

The primary goal of Mercerism is to bring humans together by exemplifying and glorifying their intrinsic ability to empathize with others. Ironically those who have devoted their lives to the religion seperate themelves from others in society. They are very selective with whom they allow to join their following. Since the purpose of the religion is the unification of the human race their rejection of their fellow community gives the devotees an image of an esoteric society among others. The community views Wilbur Mercer the creator of the religion as a holy figure arguably not far from the lies of a god. Mercer encourages that humans unite under the sole understanding that they all have the ability to share each other's suffering. With this false god establishing a fabricated sense of unity amongst a select few of the community he possesses the need to share his wisdom with those who serve to eliminate those who are incapable of sharing the suffering endured by humans. In trying to convince Ric that his actions as a bounty hunter are justifiable he says "You will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life, to be required to violate your own identity" (pg 89). Mercer then continues to voice his opinion to Ric while focusing on how he must carry out his duty to society; the tas of ‘exterminating’ all androids. Once Deckard develops sympathetic feelings towards the androids he believes that he must cease the killing meaning he failed his community in the eyes of Mercer. Dic focuses on the inner battle of Deckard to blur the principles of morality to show that empathy has the power to form righteous as well as hateful actions. He introduces the speculation of Decards empathy; whether it serves to benefit himself and the population or if in reality it results in more harm than good. Decards wife