Bunker‟s technological stance no help

“…the seams had rotted long ago…” p.121

“…tatters of his white suit…” p.121

“…scratches on his plastic visor…” p.121

All this technology is old – noone knows how to preserve it! ◦ Should have let some cleaners in?

All their fancy gear, noone to keep it A-grade

Symbolic of the bunker – stuck in their ways, degrading, not adapting

No efforts made to „make‟ or adapt new technology, instead a desperate attempt to keep everything as it was

Much like the phoenix rising from the ashes, the world is starting fresh

Raising huge stones – Stonehenge?

“…the nuclear war had not marked the end of civilization, but the beginning…” p.131

The nuclear bomb caused the world to start anew – always difficult

Dinosaurs vs. mammals (ice age)

“You have no right to destroy any living thing!” p. 124

Consider all life to be precious

Nuclear war has caused them – they will never repeat that mistake!

“We can share it… we don‟t need to fight or kill!” p. 162

The community are deeply religious –however they only follow the good aspects!

“God looked on the earth and saw it was wicked” – p. 137

“We build cathedrals” – p.132

“It was part of God‟s plan… calender began 55 years ago with the purge of fire” p. 131

Noah‟s ark!

Those in the bunker consider themselves to be “superior” to those in the community

“Simon himself (was) convinced he was superior to the weavers, and crafters, and fishermen…” p.131

What makes someone „superior‟?

An extremely evolved form of human –perfectly adapted to the new conditions

Simon looks down on them – finds them repulsive

Treats them as if we‟d treat a talking monkey?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417112433.htm proof rapid evolution happens!

Homo sapiens only living species in the Homo genus

We adapted!

Homo superior „takes over‟◦ Long white „fur‟

◦ Pin-prick pupils

◦ Telekenesis

Homo superior need something from Homo sapiens – their technology

Have figured out how to live, now need to gain knowledge

No more stupid wars – peace on earth?

Homo sapiens may have destroyed Earth, but are helping pave way forward!

Simon is seen as an „outsider‟ – he is the weirdo!

Comes from a violent, stupid species

“Once upon a time all people were like him/they were… dangerous collectively/intelligent creatures don‟t commit genocide” p. 141

Who is the mutant?

Part 1 – young, mature, frightened

Part 2 – poisoned, a leader, respected

Part 3 – legend, loved, status

Catherine symbolizes the main themes of the book –◦ Hope

◦ Dehumanization

◦ Brave New World

◦ Sacrifice

Young, naïve – a product of the bunker

Considers his way the right way – not as stubborn as Ophelia, soon figures it out

Stubborn and aggressive, initially not a great ambassador for Homo sapiens!

Can‟t see through his own prejudices

Disgusted and revolted by Laura

Eventually sees error of his ways

Symbolizes everything wrong with humans

Kind, wise and compassionate – the exact opposite of Simon

Resembles (personality wise!) a younger Catherine

Enables Simon to see the error of his ways

“She was a wonderful, beautiful… mutant” p.155

Symbolizes what humans need to be – what we should be

A horse

“Dodos and dinosaurs and Homo sapiens had not been wasted. The human race no failed evolutionary experiment, their nuclear war no ultimate disaster.”

Nuclear war = not bad?