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Chapter 3
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Humanity and Empathy
Reality vs. Artificiality
Alienation
Religion and Faith
Consumerism
Summary
Analysis
Rick worries about the dangers of his job as he meets with Bryant, who briefs him on the situation. Bryant explains that Holden had successfully retired two androids before one, Max Polokov, shot him with a laser during a Voigt-Kampff test. Six more Nexus-6 androids remain at large in Northern California. Bryant assigns Rick to take over Holden’s cases and recommends he visit the Rosen Association in Seattle to test their Nexus-6 models. He also warns Rick that the Voigt-Kampff text may no longer be completely accurate with these new models. Despite this risk, Rick agrees to the assignment.
The Voigt-Kampff test is akin to the Turing test in the real world, developed by Alan Turing in 1949. The point of the Turing test was to determine whether a human being could distinguish between another human being and artificial intelligence. In Rick’s society, such tests must be continually updated because the corporations producing these androids continue to create increasingly complex models. It’s also worth noting the language the characters use to describe the androids. Talking about the “new models” is extremely dehumanizing and highlights that they in no way see the androids as human, despite the fact that the androids can usually pass for human.
Themes
Rick travels to Seattle and lands on the roof of the Rosen Association building, where Rachael Rosen greets him. Rachael expresses hostility over the police department’s suspicion that the Nexus-6 models pose a threat to public safety. She leads Rick through the facility, pointing out the company’s collection of rare animals, including a raccoon and an owl. Rick admires the owl, a species he thought extinct, and he inquires about purchasing it. However, Rachael dismisses the idea, saying it is irreplaceable.
Given the Rosen Association’s line of products, there is the implication that the animals Rick sees might not be real. However, for the moment, Rick takes Rachael’s word for it; after all, the Rosen Association is incredibly wealthy and may very well be able to afford such a rarity. Regardless, Rick comes off as rather naïve to think he would be able to afford such an animal.
Themes
Rachael introduces Rick to her uncle, Eldon Rosen, who is nervous about the upcoming test. The group moves to a furnished room where Rick sets up his Voigt-Kampff testing equipment. Rachael volunteers to take the test first, surprising Rick. Eldon then reveals that the test aims to determine whether Rachael herself is an android, a challenge Rick must address as he begins his work.
By introducing Rick to Rachael before Rick is on his guard, Eldon manages to compromise the results of the Voigt-Kampff test, as Rachael is able to gather information on Rick before taking it—and Rick has been engaging with Rachel under the assumption that she’s definitely human. Such circumstances put extra strain on what already might be a flimsy test.
Themes
