| Xen: Ancient English Edition by D. J. Solomon |
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Third Place $100.00 scholarship & matching award to school
Isaac Asimov, a renowned American science fiction author, once said, "Science
fiction writers foresee the inevitable, and although problems and catastrophes may
be inevitable, solutions are not." Likewise, D.J. Solomon elucidates the problems in
human history in his allegory, Xen. Through graphic imagery and an innovative
point-of-view, Solomon points out man's inhumanity to man in a memorable allegory
depicting human's future.
Solomon emphasizes the use of graphic imagery in order to further the theme of
man's inhumanity to man. Wind tells of a past torture which included "enlarging the
holes that pierce your flesh" (Solomon 100). The graphic imagery serves as a
reminder of the horrors that people of the past suffered; furthermore, Solomon uses
this as a personal commentary attacking contemporary torturing held throughout the
world. By explicitly illustrating numerous details, it represents that humanity still
suffers similar audacities today. In addition, society does not generally notice or
recognize that these attacks occur still, symbolized by the tortures being "observably
deaf to your screams" (100).
One of the purposes in writing this novel is to elucidate the problems felt by humanity
as a whole. Rather than distinguishing between different cultures in the novel,
Minister Esse calls all members of society "Eartherians" (165). This represents that
the differences between all people are ultimately minimal. Solomon feels that all
people deserve to be treated as equal and that society should recognize the vast
similarities between its members. By referring to humans as "Mankind," it furthers the
point that all people deserve the same undeniable rights (12). In addition, by treating
humankind as a proper noun, it represents that humans are the ultimate and highest
power of the planet, setting them much higher and powerful than all of the other
animals; moreover, Mankind joins Wind, Water, and Earth as the four powers that
rule this planet.
Solomon's unique second-person narrator also continues the theme of man's
inhumanity to man by allowing the reader to understand that he/she has a role in all
of the discussed topics. By using "you" continuously, the reader plays a part in the
novel, making it a personal experience in which the reader discovers the past,
follows the present, and realizes the future (Solomon 142). Solomon uses the
narration to elucidate the fact that all of society must together to realize the utopia
that exists in the novel, rather than struggling against each other and creating
separate identities and areas around the world. By working together, the author
demonstrates that everyone's dreams can come true instead of leaving some
individuals far behind others.
The concluding scene involving Ambassador Adavan and Minister Esse symbolizes
the current situation of the planet. Minister Esse represents the knowledge that
humans currently behold. Although humans are somewhat curious of their existence,
they do not delve into matters that are of the essence to understand human
existence. Solomon uses Ambassador Adavan to represent all knowledge, both that
which humans know and that which they do not know. By introducing the alien, it
represents the notion that everything humans could possibly want to know is
available upon further investigation and research. Solomon presents his opinion on
education through this scene in that the alien's purpose is to spark human curiosity
in the unknown.
Solomon utilizes personification of the different elements of nature in order to
represent the peaceful coexistence that is necessary in this world. Rather than solely
presenting humanity, the purpose of introducing the elements of nature is to present
the point that there are other important factors that one must keep in mind when
speaking about society. Oftentimes, society disregards the role that nature plays; by
allowing Earth, Wind, and Water to both open and close the novel, it symbolizes the
minimal role that humans play in the world. Solomon mandates that the reader
recognize the importance of these factors. Moreover, Solomon believes that these
elements possess the ability to "help some, [or] exterminate others," symbolizing that
nature holds the key to human existence (Solomon 13). In addition, by juxtaposing
the manner in which the elements interact nicely and lovingly and the evil style by
which humans treat each other, it symbolizes the humanly error and disability in
being unable to peacefully deal with each other. Solomon acknowledges that people
need to learn to deal lovingly towards each other because, ultimately, everyone is
the same as everyone else.
Solomon uses three repetitively in order to symbolize the imperfectness in the world.
Four, the archetype for cycles, does not appear in the novel. For example, the use
of three elements (Wind, Earth, and Water) shed light on the fact that humanity is
the missing link to the puzzle. Without working together and understanding the
peace that humans need in life, the world will lack imperfectness forever. Solomon
also creates a difference in the three elements and Fire in order to represent that
anger and hostility can never fit into a perfect world. By having all of the elements
combat fire, it represents that all people must work together in order to eliminate
hate and violence from this world; moreover, it represents that in this world, anger
will never prevail as dominant to the other elements. The perfect world from the
future lacks fire in order to symbolize that the first step towards realizing the dreams
of all humans, both past and present, is to extinguish the fire that remains between
people of this world.
Another example that supports the use of three as a motif is the three narrators
throughout the novel. By having the story told from the perspective of a scientist,
world leader, and an ordinary teenager, it allows the reader to complete the cycle to
realize that each individual must work together in order to strive for the perfect
society from the novel. Solomon enhances this affect by using the second person
point-of-view throughout the novel so that the reader has no choice other than to
personally join the battle against violence from this world.
Drinking water is repetitively described as "carbonated and sweet but not fattening
(of course)" (Solomon 77). This represents that the pleasures of humanity, including
the foods that people eat, should contain no harming side effects to anyone. The fat
that society eliminates from its water symbolizes the violence and hate that Solomon
feels people should eliminate from the contemporary world. Society conditions its
members to hate these side effects, elucidating the point that Solomon feels the
world should censor its members to always hate and fear violence. Although
Solomon does not present a specific solution to the extermination of hate in the
novel, he uses this simple phrase to show the readers that the way to end violence is
to shelter its members from all aspects of it. This includes all forms of media, which
the scientist criticizes in the beginning of the novel. Pawkey Seneschal says, "Muting
the television also makes the manic disruptions of the propagandists much more
palatable," which demonstrates the effect that censorship can have in the world. By
eliminating constant exposure to murder and violence on television, Solomon
believes that the world will become a much better place because no one will face any
pain or harm. Solomon also displays in the line that many people use violence to get
what they desire, regardless of who they hurt. This is a criticism on the companies
and groups that abuse their power by harming others in order to increase their
popularity and subsequently their own wealth.
In a highly imaginative and well-written science-fiction novel on the future, Solomon
manages to criticize violence and its role it played in the history of humanity.
Solomon relies on the use of many literary features in order to illustrate his belief
that the key to any perfect and utopian society is to end the ability people have to
use hate to their own advantage. In DJ Solomon's novel, Xen, the presence of
numerous examples of man's inhumanity to man presents the ultimate point of the
novel, which is that the first step to any happy world is the happiness and tranquility
of all individuals of that society. Furthermore, Solomon does not offer any answer as
to how humanity can reach this goal in order to represent that all people must join
the quest and play a part in the end of this disgusting and hated frenzy that
dominated the beginning of human history.
Work Cited
Solomon, DJ. Xen. United States: Avar Press. 2004.
Isaac Asimov, a renowned American science fiction author, once said, "Science
fiction writers foresee the inevitable, and although problems and catastrophes may
be inevitable, solutions are not." Likewise, D.J. Solomon elucidates the problems in
human history in his allegory, Xen. Through graphic imagery and an innovative
point-of-view, Solomon points out man's inhumanity to man in a memorable allegory
depicting human's future.
Solomon emphasizes the use of graphic imagery in order to further the theme of
man's inhumanity to man. Wind tells of a past torture which included "enlarging the
holes that pierce your flesh" (Solomon 100). The graphic imagery serves as a
reminder of the horrors that people of the past suffered; furthermore, Solomon uses
this as a personal commentary attacking contemporary torturing held throughout the
world. By explicitly illustrating numerous details, it represents that humanity still
suffers similar audacities today. In addition, society does not generally notice or
recognize that these attacks occur still, symbolized by the tortures being "observably
deaf to your screams" (100).
One of the purposes in writing this novel is to elucidate the problems felt by humanity
as a whole. Rather than distinguishing between different cultures in the novel,
Minister Esse calls all members of society "Eartherians" (165). This represents that
the differences between all people are ultimately minimal. Solomon feels that all
people deserve to be treated as equal and that society should recognize the vast
similarities between its members. By referring to humans as "Mankind," it furthers the
point that all people deserve the same undeniable rights (12). In addition, by treating
humankind as a proper noun, it represents that humans are the ultimate and highest
power of the planet, setting them much higher and powerful than all of the other
animals; moreover, Mankind joins Wind, Water, and Earth as the four powers that
rule this planet.
Solomon's unique second-person narrator also continues the theme of man's
inhumanity to man by allowing the reader to understand that he/she has a role in all
of the discussed topics. By using "you" continuously, the reader plays a part in the
novel, making it a personal experience in which the reader discovers the past,
follows the present, and realizes the future (Solomon 142). Solomon uses the
narration to elucidate the fact that all of society must together to realize the utopia
that exists in the novel, rather than struggling against each other and creating
separate identities and areas around the world. By working together, the author
demonstrates that everyone's dreams can come true instead of leaving some
individuals far behind others.
The concluding scene involving Ambassador Adavan and Minister Esse symbolizes
the current situation of the planet. Minister Esse represents the knowledge that
humans currently behold. Although humans are somewhat curious of their existence,
they do not delve into matters that are of the essence to understand human
existence. Solomon uses Ambassador Adavan to represent all knowledge, both that
which humans know and that which they do not know. By introducing the alien, it
represents the notion that everything humans could possibly want to know is
available upon further investigation and research. Solomon presents his opinion on
education through this scene in that the alien's purpose is to spark human curiosity
in the unknown.
Solomon utilizes personification of the different elements of nature in order to
represent the peaceful coexistence that is necessary in this world. Rather than solely
presenting humanity, the purpose of introducing the elements of nature is to present
the point that there are other important factors that one must keep in mind when
speaking about society. Oftentimes, society disregards the role that nature plays; by
allowing Earth, Wind, and Water to both open and close the novel, it symbolizes the
minimal role that humans play in the world. Solomon mandates that the reader
recognize the importance of these factors. Moreover, Solomon believes that these
elements possess the ability to "help some, [or] exterminate others," symbolizing that
nature holds the key to human existence (Solomon 13). In addition, by juxtaposing
the manner in which the elements interact nicely and lovingly and the evil style by
which humans treat each other, it symbolizes the humanly error and disability in
being unable to peacefully deal with each other. Solomon acknowledges that people
need to learn to deal lovingly towards each other because, ultimately, everyone is
the same as everyone else.
Solomon uses three repetitively in order to symbolize the imperfectness in the world.
Four, the archetype for cycles, does not appear in the novel. For example, the use
of three elements (Wind, Earth, and Water) shed light on the fact that humanity is
the missing link to the puzzle. Without working together and understanding the
peace that humans need in life, the world will lack imperfectness forever. Solomon
also creates a difference in the three elements and Fire in order to represent that
anger and hostility can never fit into a perfect world. By having all of the elements
combat fire, it represents that all people must work together in order to eliminate
hate and violence from this world; moreover, it represents that in this world, anger
will never prevail as dominant to the other elements. The perfect world from the
future lacks fire in order to symbolize that the first step towards realizing the dreams
of all humans, both past and present, is to extinguish the fire that remains between
people of this world.
Another example that supports the use of three as a motif is the three narrators
throughout the novel. By having the story told from the perspective of a scientist,
world leader, and an ordinary teenager, it allows the reader to complete the cycle to
realize that each individual must work together in order to strive for the perfect
society from the novel. Solomon enhances this affect by using the second person
point-of-view throughout the novel so that the reader has no choice other than to
personally join the battle against violence from this world.
Drinking water is repetitively described as "carbonated and sweet but not fattening
(of course)" (Solomon 77). This represents that the pleasures of humanity, including
the foods that people eat, should contain no harming side effects to anyone. The fat
that society eliminates from its water symbolizes the violence and hate that Solomon
feels people should eliminate from the contemporary world. Society conditions its
members to hate these side effects, elucidating the point that Solomon feels the
world should censor its members to always hate and fear violence. Although
Solomon does not present a specific solution to the extermination of hate in the
novel, he uses this simple phrase to show the readers that the way to end violence is
to shelter its members from all aspects of it. This includes all forms of media, which
the scientist criticizes in the beginning of the novel. Pawkey Seneschal says, "Muting
the television also makes the manic disruptions of the propagandists much more
palatable," which demonstrates the effect that censorship can have in the world. By
eliminating constant exposure to murder and violence on television, Solomon
believes that the world will become a much better place because no one will face any
pain or harm. Solomon also displays in the line that many people use violence to get
what they desire, regardless of who they hurt. This is a criticism on the companies
and groups that abuse their power by harming others in order to increase their
popularity and subsequently their own wealth.
In a highly imaginative and well-written science-fiction novel on the future, Solomon
manages to criticize violence and its role it played in the history of humanity.
Solomon relies on the use of many literary features in order to illustrate his belief
that the key to any perfect and utopian society is to end the ability people have to
use hate to their own advantage. In DJ Solomon's novel, Xen, the presence of
numerous examples of man's inhumanity to man presents the ultimate point of the
novel, which is that the first step to any happy world is the happiness and tranquility
of all individuals of that society. Furthermore, Solomon does not offer any answer as
to how humanity can reach this goal in order to represent that all people must join
the quest and play a part in the end of this disgusting and hated frenzy that
dominated the beginning of human history.
Work Cited
Solomon, DJ. Xen. United States: Avar Press. 2004.
| © Copyright 2004-2008 by Avar Press. All rights reserved. Copyright of the individual essays belongs to the respective writer and may not be reproduced in any fashion without express written permission from each author. Interested parties may contact the author via their high school or by sending correspondence to Avar Press. |
| Casey Archer Princess Anne High School Virginia Beach, VA The Role of Violence in Shaping Man's Future: A Literary Analysis of DJ Solomon's Xen |
