| Xen: Ancient English Edition by D. J. Solomon |
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Sweet melodies of choral unison resound forevermore down the placid corridors of Xen’s
futuristic utopian society. Unlike the stagnant limitations of egocentricity and aggressive
self-ssertion evident in modem humanity, Solomon has painted a portrait of perfection
through the collectivity manifest in hufemity. In a world of unified dualism, extremities
forever prove their opposites; outward aggression leads but to inward sterility and
corruption, whereas exterior passivity conceals the inner drive of progress, which enable
true societal development. Ultimately, by way of the subtle meekness present in Xen’s
matriarchal collective social order, each and every individual has the motivation to
pursue their sincerest passions and contribute to the masses in a manner that
holistically permits the sustenance of a utopian reality.
Life is a game of numerous contradictions — perpetual oppositions like the antagonistic
pairs of one’s limbs — which conceal within themselves the highest reality of innate
truth. Such paradoxical contradictions are made self-evident in Solomon’s novel with
regards to the duality of human nature and how the reversal of its present state would
prove unimaginably helpful to the world at large. Throughout the first several books,
Solomon colours the decadence of our modem state through the commentary of Pawkey’
s unrestrained — albeit satirical in its straightforwardness — thoughts that truly evokes
our slow, but gradual decline into oblivion. A world dominated by the rampant and
egocentric quest to assert the self over all else and leaves nothing but a displeasing
aftertaste in all who sip of this bitter brew. Such outward manifestations of declension
are not simply spontaneous generations of an entropic world, yet they derive from the
common source of our inner fire — that metaphysical fire of passionate intensity that
fuels all our materialistic ambitions. The fire of Prometheus was one of progress, yet
that same fire is the one that fueled the locomotive of societal direction down the track of
mindless self-destruction. How beautiful it is, then, to have Solomon eliminate fire for all
eternity in his revolutionized hufemity. No longer plagued by the dualistic advancement
and chaos that the flames once offered, the revitalized Eartherian society lives in perfect
accord with its tamed elements, in a harmony that was rarely achieved before Pawkey
acted as the architect of mankind’s benevolently altered fate. Accordingly, without the
need assert themselves vaingloriously — as was once the custom — this refined species
survived its synthesized Last Judgment of sorts to ascend to heights previously
unattainable by the collectivity of mankind. To call these honourable sentient beings
passive would be an erroneous choice of diction as they typically were “aggressive,
motivated, curious, but with kindness in their hearts.” Thus, it is not so much a lack of
will to be dominant as it is manifestation of an inner contentment that needs no
expression of dominance — why strive to express that which is veritably true. In an
analogical manner, those exterminated by the great purge were possessed by an
inherent emptiness in the cup of their life which forced them to strive to fill it by whatever
egocentric means necessary; conversely, those who survived had those very cups
overflowing with fulfillment and thereby achieved a state of boundless joy in which self-
assertion was not necessary. Is this not the perfect utopia? One may be apt to insert a
dictionary’s definition at this very point, however Xen’s final Eartherian society is such a
concept in manifest form, living and breathing in the pages of this bright canary novel.
Perfection. “Is such a concept even possible?” the skeptical soul might query as he
reads on. Nevertheless, it is with refined grace that such a concept has been lucidly
expressed on page 136 where “[t]here is no hunger, no starvation; there are no wars...
no racism. There is no crime...There is peace on Earth” above all else. One would be
playing an outrageous game of self-deception if the aforementioned attainments of the
future Eartherian society did not reverberate with the universal archetype of what
perfection should be for social creatures as ourselves. The pages that follow sum up
quite endearingly what has long been sought by the idealists of every nation, as though
a metaphorical return to the gardens of Eden had been miraculously attained. Quite
simply, the “cornucopia of resources” facilitated a transition of society into a state where
“[e]veryone is reasonable” and thus an attainment of “true nirvana after the Plague” was
solidified. Solomon’s fusion of a detached scientific narrative approach with Eastern
philosophical concepts permits a truly sensational rhythm to permeate on page 138
where the true face of the novel is revealed. The post-Plague society accepts the
fundamental axiom that “[y]our plate is served from the same well stocked kitchen with
the same portion” whereby any achievements or failures are seen within the same scope
of time and within the same context of available resources. As such, the element of
jealousy is exterminated from the equation of the human emotional index, as it becomes
clearly irrational with all such aspects considered. Ultimately, “the challenge lies within
yourself to be content with your daily routine and your accomplishments. For in your
satisfaction, lays Society’s fulfillment.” Such a statement requires no further elucidation,
for such is a principle that every sentient being should follow once the veils of Earthly
deception have dwindled away into nothingness. When all our vanities, all our
insecurities, and all our impertinent desires disappear as death approaches, perhaps
the misguided souls of humanity will see the veracity of this sincere statement as their
souls depart for another revolution in the perpetual cycle of life. Happily, those who
inhabit the post-Plague Eartherian society have attained a nirvana of sorts which
permitted them to break free from the cyclic nature of samsara and consequently ascend
into the awakened domain of enlightenment — that, my friends, is perfection beyond all
earthly limitations.
However perfect a world may be, is there not always room for error? Perhaps a slight
chance that every success may be thrown off so that the antithesis will take grasp? Just
as a previous winning essayist of this novel highlighted the Taoist taijitu and the
presence of its thematic influence throughout the novel, much can be said with regards
to how this symbol permeates in the general structure that Solomon suggests. Primarily,
beginning with a predominantly male-dominated society supplemented with a recessive
feminine character, the Plague brought about the reversal of this trend. However, at the
apex of hufemity, when the Peregrinians commented enthusiastically on the amendments
that would place Pawkey in the grand annals of human history, a slight bickering
occurred between Wind and Water. Although this conflict experienced a diminuendo,
there is an ever slight suggestion that it persisted. What if this slight conflict were to
cause an upheaval so great that the perfection of hufemity was rendered obsolete as
the chains taming the two elements broke? It has often been contemplated that the
flapping winds of a butterfly could, theoretically, set off a chaotic storm halfway across
the world — so to paraphrase the butterfly effect. An eruption of fury so cataclysmic
would occur, should Wind and Water break free, that the entirety of world would be
engulfed in the primal rages of the once passionate elements and all would be reduced
to ashes and dust. Nothing left...absolutely devoid of the former greatness that
majestically stood, besides a few lingering vestiges of what once was — nothing more
than archeological evidence for the next unsuspecting generation. Such a perpetual
cycle of change is inevitable and one must acknowledge its inherent presence should
one come to terms with the fluctuations of one’s transient existence. It is my only hope
that the perfection of hufemity will outlast such meaningless elemental bickering and
survive the quintessential test of time: perpetual peace.
All aspects considered, D. J. Solomon has inscribed a work for open-minded global
citizens to embrace in its sincere depiction of humanity’s present predicament. We are
blinded by a world of vanities and illusions, which Xen triumphantly dispels with a
revelation of what can be attained in the post-Plague Eartherian society. United with a
resolute inner kindness, these people of the future — a society that can hopefully be
emulated in the years to come — are content with who they are without a need for self-
assertion. A fulfilled life is one that needs no egocentrism, for the near Christ-like
meekness one attains is beyond any rational expression in worldly dialects. Quite simply
put, the attainment of nirvana — a perfection among perfections — by the utopian
hufemity was facilitated by the relinquishment of the inner fire of self-destruction and an
embracing of the universal contentment that is found by looking within oneself for the
happiness that can be found nowhere else. All truth lies within.
Ian Gerald King A Reflection upon the Utopian Perfection Achieved in Xen's Eartherian Society Turner Fenton Secondary School Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
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