Electric Totems

Electric Totems

The world of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is devoid of life. Philip K. Dick tells the story of a dystopian future through the story of Rick Deckard, a blade runner. Deckard destroys androids for a living. One of the critical themes in the novella is humanities relationship with animals. The animals of their world are few and far between and many people have to make do with what they call ‘electric’ animals. And, in many of the instances where an animal is the focal point of Deckard’s attention there in it lies the reflection of the current state of the story.

Sheep are a symbol of rebirth and fertility in many cultures. During the spring festival of Imbolc the sheep was associated with the Celtic goddess Brigit. In the book of Revelations the sheep, or lamb, is associated with Jesus Christ. However, from the start the sheep that Rick Deckard owns is an ‘electric’ replacement for Groucho his long dead sheep. In this way, Dick is setting up the backdrop of a world devoid of life utterly. Incapable of subverting the tide of decay on the planet, humanity has set up a mockery of life. The ‘electric’ nature of Deckard’s sheep is a tool for Dick to show the hopelessness of this future.

Horses are symbols of freedom and stamina. They are creatures of power such as Sleipnir and Pegasus. The majestic beauty of the horse in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep may have paled in comparison to our world’s horse, but to Deckard it is a deep yearning.. It represented real living freedom to him something he feel he is without. It represents the final hope in a dark chaotic world filled with despair. And his friend Barbour has a pregnant one. This is another way in which Dick lays the framework for Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.

Owls are birds of the night. They have insight when things are obscured. Whether ascribed to the goddess Athene or a Roman harbinger of destruction, owls represent the final revelation of truth beyond the veil. Accordingly, during the scene when Deckard inquires with Rachael Rosen an owl is present. Rick Deckard desires the exotic animal. In this way, we see his desire for insight. The Rosen Association through Rachael wishes to obscure her true identity. But, Deckard see’s through her obfuscation and reveals that she is an andy. Subsequently, Rachael Rosen proves later to be the harbinger of destruction for Deckard’s goat.

Goats are a stubborn breed the lack foresight in their unyielding existence. They are symbols of surefootedness and stubbornness. Also, it is a symbol of lust like the god Pan. In Judaism the goat is considered clean and pure. In both ways is Deckard’s goat a symbol for his place in the story. Recently returning for retiring a few andys, Deckard feels over indulgent and needlessly purchases the goat with all of his money. His lust for something alive is overwhelming. However, Deckard like the goat has not retained his foresight and both pay for it later. Afterward, when Rachael Rosen reveals she has killed Deckard’s goat it he loses his emotional footing. Without the goat Deckard becomes lost.

Toads represent a change of luck through adversity. They are creatures that court via sound and represent altered states of consciousness. Toads are also symbols of longevity. In all these ways, can we find similarities to Rick Deckard’s final journey throughout the novella. After destroying all his marks Deckard is left questioning his relationship with what he hunts. He roams the desert searching for his deific Mercer and in the barrens he discovers a toad. He rushes to his home to share his discovery with his wife. However, she reveals it to be an ‘electric’ toad. Yet, the toad has already served its purpose even in the lie of this future. It has instilled an altered state of mind for Rick and has reopened the silent relationship between him and his estranged wife. And, through the trials of his story Deckard has instilled in himself the humanity to go on.

The final analysis, is that Philip K. Dick must have chosen these animals for a reason. A simple glimpse across the internet and a careful eye can draw these similarities. In Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Philip K. Dick uses totemic imagery to evoke an emotion from the reader. He utilizes animistic symbolism to convey the overall conceptual themes of scenes and characters.