Annihilation (6 points)

    9-27-20

    There is something so intriguing about not giving a specific name to characters in a book. In Frankenstein the monster is simply called The Monster. In Interview with the Vampire, the interviewer is never named. In A Wild Sheep Chase, the protagonist is not named. In Annihilation none of the main characters are named. In the previous books we read in class, there were some named characters but in this book there are no named characters. I think this adds an extra layer of mystery to the story, making the reader more suspicious of all the characters and who they really are.

                Based on what I’ve heard about the film adaption of Annihilation, it sounds like the characters are all given names and backstories. I think for many books and films it is important to give characters names. This story is very unique and by not naming the characters, it allows the reader to be more intrigued.

                The character names aren’t the only names left as a mystery. The area they are exploring is eerily called Area X. The author also refers to locations in Area X with simple names. There is the lighthouse, the tower and the tunnel. The biologist also gives the writer of the mysterious writings a name: The Crawler. Although we do get some answers as the book goes on, we are always left with the mystery of who these characters are and what this place really is.

                This book combines many genres. There are elements of horror, suspense and mystery as things are revealed. There are also elements of science fiction such as the spores that are sprayed on the biologist, making her immune from the psychologists’ hypnosis. There are also fantasy elements. The book takes place in a fantasy world where a magical and mysterious area is the main setting of the story.

                The main value of this book is the idea of the unknown. All of the main characters are scientists. Scientists typically look for facts which is why they are exploring Area X. The problem is that there is very little factual knowledge developed about Area X. The area does not apply to the science of our normal world. While some things may be factual in this world, the book makes it clear that there are many things that are subjective and may be forever unknown.

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