What does Brown (2001) identify as the central themes and concerns of the novel? What elements conform to the wider generic features of SF?

Brown (2001) identified Metaphysic. Metaphysics is kind of nature of the world, existence and reality. Various metaphysical subjects such as precognition, ray-guns and alien worlds were used as the creative and popular themes of SF by Dick who have mystical and fantastic imaginative. The suggestion that the ideology of the universe appear to be real in which the truth of the illusion lies behind it. Furthermore, the second concern which was pointed was what compose of a true human being as against to a fake one. He used some  acts of people that he knew for the fiction. His SF reflected effect of events on persons. There is an alternative universe of the story in the novel ‘The grasshopper lies heavily’ as well as the alternate history of the Allies. Brown (2001, p.vii) suggested about it, “Reality as perceived by both reader and protagonist is a hoax”. He identifies empathy as one of the strength display in which he wrote based on the people under extraordinary circumstances. First of all, one of the wider generic features of his SF is that he reflected his own life and style. His life was a troubled, confused life. Having suffered anxiety attacks throughout his lifetime, this rendered him unable to function normally in society. He had some problems to eat in public. In his SF, although there are all failures and hard situations, Dick even reflected a hope for readers. Furthermore, this can also be related to ‘A Scanner Darkly (2006)' by Dick, which the drug Substance D has tormented Arctor livelihood. This lead him to be heavily reliant towards the drug, in return his superiors deem him as incapable of performing his duties. This lead him to be taken into a rehabilitation facility which was also responsible for manufacturing the substance D drug. I think all experiences can be related to the themes of Dick’s work. When we have some difficulties with something, it can make me stronger than before. ‘The man in high castle’ is his great work. He reflected his life in it. If Dick had not some problems with this life, he would not solve the problems such as many failures on his work. Brown (2001) also described that Dick reflected his life and used SF to explore his obsession with metaphysics, the nature of perceived reality, good and evil and the abuse of power.

 

References:

Brown, E. (2001). Introduction. In P. K. Dick. The man in the high castle (p.v-xii). London: Penguin.

Linklater, R. (Director). (2006).  Scanner Darkly. United States: Warner Independent Pictures.