Human Nature: Predatory?
Before I forget I want to mention a word that Mitchell uses in most of the different sections we read: Hydra. Definitions (Encarta Dictionary) 1. Largest constellation: a constellation near the celestial equator
2. many-headed monster: in Greek mythology, a monster that had nine heads and was killed by Heracles. When one head was cut off, another grew instantly in its place
3. a freshwater organism: a freshwater polyp with a cylindrical body at one end and a mouth surrounded by tentacles at the other.
In the novel Hydra was the name of the nuclear reactor plant in L Rey, it was the name of the womb tanks in Sonmi, he described the Dermot Hoggins’ brothers as the “Hoggins Hyrda” in Cavendish , on the very last page of the book (Mitchell’s diatribe) human nature is metaphorically referred to as “the many-headed hydra”. In each section Mitchell shows a world that is predatory. He takes us through history and beyond (into the future) giving us examples of a predatory nature of humanity. Not everyone is a predator of course, there has to be the prey. Mitchell does include people who represent a glimmer of hope: Louisa Rey, her father, Meronym, Zachry, Sixsmith, Autua, Napier.
If human nature is “the many- headed hydra” whose heads will grow back if one is cut off it then it can’t be a good thing if Mitchell suggests that human nature is inherently predatory. Does the hydra only have 9 heads and can it be killed eventually? Will human nature and its “selfishness” ultimately end in “extinction” (508)?
I think Mitchell is trying to tell us that it is up to us to take what he has given us in this novel as an outline of what has happened, is happening and quite possibly could happen if we aren’t careful of the predatory nature that consumes some people, who unfortunately and not coincidentally find themselves in positions of power, colonizers, corporations, Hitler, you know what I am talking about.
We need to be aware of those in power and how they dictate and controls us. We need to question the apparatus, the institutions that are in place.
November 9, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Catherine, I never really picked up on the use of the word hydra and how many times it was used throughout this book. I’m glad that you picked it out and drew my attention to it. It seems as if this word has special use to Mitchell and can definitely be used to help his theme of humanity and the world we live in.
November 12, 2008 at 1:27 am
I guess if we’re concluding that Mitchell was trying to urge us to question those in power and to warn us of what path we might be headed down, the question would be is that the job of the novel? No, scratch that, is that the ONLY job of the novel? Because I think Cloud Atlas absolutely does that, but it did not draw me in and make me feel a connection to it’s characters. It did make a strong political comment, though. Which is more important? Are both possible? I’m going to say yes for one reason: Myra Breckinridge.