Throughout
Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell, the
reader is exposed to various societies, each with their own set of standards.
On several occasions in the novel, the characters are led to believe that life
is the way it is, it has always been this way, and that it is unlikely for life
to ever change significantly. However, not all of the characters buy into this
ideal. For example, after being introduced to certain people, Sonmi-451 of the
“An Orison of Sonmi-451” story begins to realize how incorrect she is about her
views on society, because she starts asking questions most other people are too
afraid to ask. Mitchell uses Sonmi-451’s revelations to demonstrate how dangerous
and inadequate it is to live under the assumption that all there is to life is
the way one sees it.
For
Sonmi-451, her discovery about the undisclosed truth about her society comes
when she leaves the job she was created for and is exposed to life beyond Papa
Song’s, the restaurant where she was employed. However, Sonmi-451 did not even
have to step out of the restaurant to become curious. At first, Sonmi-451
becomes heavily influenced by a different fabricant, Yoona-939, who starts
asking questions about life beyond the service industry. Yoona-939’s curiosity
leads to an attempt to escape, which then inevitably leads to her death (195). Because
of everything she is already exposed to, courtesy of Yoona-939, and because she
starts asking too many questions of her own, Sonmi-451 is sent away. Her breakthrough
comes when she returns to Papa Song’s after being gone for some time. She
realizes that fabricants, like her, are basically mindless creatures, used to
please and feed the purebloods. Sonmi-451 goes on to tell her traveling companion
Hae-Joo, “We are just slaves here for
twelve years” (231). The reader does not become aware of how accurate this
statement is until much later in the novel, when Sonmi-451 is exposed to what
Xultation, or fabricant retirement, is truly like. Instead of serving as a
reward for more than a decade of employment, at Xultation, fabricants are
killed, torn apart, and then their pieces are repurposed (342-3). The worst
part is up until the very last moment before death, the fabricants are
extremely happy because they are led to believe that they are finally being
recognized for their years of service. By incorporating these two scenes in a
futuristic story within the novel, Mitchell is sending out a warning to his
readers. He wants his audience to realize how important it is to continuously
question society, regardless of the consequences. Even if there are no answers
at first, Mitchell wants the questions to keep being asked until answers exist.
If not, society is at a greater risk for the mistreatment of its people.
As Elizabeth indicates, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell is bursting with provocative questions that challenge the status quo. Her introduction states that “on several occasions in the novel, the characters are led to believe that life is the way it is, it has always been this way and it is unlikely for life to ever change significantly” (Pekar). Indeed, key instances in the story demonstrate how various characters question the society around them.
ReplyDeleteOne question that struck me as incredibly thought provoking was not even asked by a main character; rather, the character Sonmi-451 refers to a question asked by a professor during a seminar. In An Orison of Somni-451, the title character remembers how she asked Professor Mephi why purebloods despise her. According to Somni-451, the professor replied, “What if the differences between social strata stem not from genomics or inherent xcellence or even dollars, but merely differences in knowledge?” (222). Professor Mephi’s question exemplifies how the status quo suggests that social differences are currently based on ancestry and economic standing rather than intellectual ability. However, the professor challenges the status quo by discussing the possibility that social class should be based on knowledge: one of the most indispensable aspects of an individual’s existence.
Clearly, Cloud Atlas provokes readers to question the status quo and challenge societal norms—even if they seem to be irreversibly established. Such critical thinking is necessary for the progression of society.
I wholly agree with your point that readers are meant to realize the necessity of questioning society. However, I think it goes past just having to question society and the norms that we come to accept without question. I believe that Mitchell is also suggesting that we must question individuals within society, because they are capable of just as much destruction. Readers are not spared from this truth, as we immediately see Goose taking advantage of Ewing and Frobisher taking advantage of his situation. Then we find out that Frobisher was manipulated from the beginning but never bothered to question because he thought he was in control. Cavendish is taken advantage of by his brother because he didn't question, and before Sonmi questions the motives of those above her she is being taken advantage of. Even Luisa Rey is being duped before she starts to investigate and Zachary takes advantage of the rest of his people. They never question his version of what happened to his father or never considered that he was lying. Every single story in this book had a character that is either taken advantage of because they don't question or they take advantage of the fact that people don't question them. This speaks powerfully to our ability to trust people in general.
ReplyDeleteWhile Elizabeth makes it clear that the story of Sonmi-451 represents an argument that society should be questioned, I think it is also worth mentioning the presence of a similar theme in the mystery of Luisa Rey. She is portrayed as a reporter whose curiosity drives her to ask questions and search for answers harder than most. When she visits the Swannekke Island power plant for the first time, she sneaks away from a press conference to explore the office of Dr. Sixsmith. Instead of admitting she is a reporter, she acts like she is Sixsmith’s niece at first to try and get information (105). Her desire for answers also causes her to question and think beyond what is commonly accepted by the majority of her peers. When Sixsmith’s murder is covered up to look like a suicide, Luisa’s boss and fellow reporters pretty much overlook the matter while she continues to question the uncertain circumstances of situation (118).
ReplyDeleteEven though she is a reporter and curiosity is expected of someone with such a career, it can definitely be argued that Luisa Rey possesses a sense of curiosity similar to that of Sonmi-451. She asks questions that most will not and ultimately uncovers corruption within an extremely powerful organization that was once trusted by millions of people.
I agree with your evaluation of Somni-451 and her society. I think Mitchell’s book is rather enlightening about problems in our own society, and Somni-451’s chapter is especially so. However, despite newfound knowledge of the gruesome details of the fabricants’ treatment – despite the use of Soap and the cannibalistic consumption of fabricants – Somni-451 remains optimistic. When discussing “dust-bowled farmers from Ho Chi Minh Delta,” Somni-451 says, “No crisis is insuperable if people cooperate” (330). Her faith in the ability of united people to alleviate problems is undoubtedly optimistic given the background of injustices to which she has been exposed.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, at the conclusion of her chapter, Somni-451 asserts, “No matter how many of us you kill, you will never kill your successor.” Despite knowing full well of her ultimate demise, Somni-451 remains optimistic that her death will serve a purpose in a goal larger than her life.
Somni-451’s initial questioning of her society is thus followed by an optimistic, empowered desire to overcome the injustices of her society. Through Somni-451, Mitchell sends a message to the reader to question society, and, upon finding answers to his/her question, to do something to better the status quo. Other characters in other chapters behave similarly; however, I especially admire Somni-451 because of her noble self-sacrifice at the conclusion of her chapter.
The importance of questioning societal norms is a crucial element in Mitchell's "Cloud Atlas". Throughout the novel, there is a theme of one society or person preying on another society or person. These events would not occur if people questioned what they believed to be societal norms.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the most obvious example of strong preying on weak is the enslavement of the Moriori in "The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing". One first hears of the Maori enslavement when Mr. D'Arnoq, the local priest, tells their sad history. Ewing later questions the sailors of the ship he is on why it is not possible to "Civilize the Black races by conversion". The crew responds with dehumanizing words that reflect common beliefs of the time. "'The best of 'em is not too good to die like a pig!' one shouted. 'The only gospel the Blacks davy is the gospel of the d---d whip!'" (16) Though Ewing questions their methods, the sailors beat his inquiries down with common societal viewpoints. Ewing doesn't push any further. After having his life saved by Autua and realizing that Dr. Goose was actually trying to kill him, Ewing realizes the horrific aspects of slavery and the slave trade and vows to never be a part of it again. When he is finally reunited with his wife, he tells her father that they are going to now live with the Abolitionists because they now realize how barbaric slavery is. "A life spent shaping a world I WANT Jackson to inherit, not one I FEAR Jackson shall inherit, this strikes me as a life worth the living. Upon my return to San Francisco, I shall pledge myself to the Abolitionist cause, because I owe my life to a self-freed slave and because I must begin somewhere" (508). After his experiences with Autua and Dr. Goose, Ewing realizes that society is wrong when it domes to slavery. Once he begins to think for himself, Ewing has a purpose in life, and seems much more happy and driven. Overall, Mitchell encourages people to question societal norms. He does not hide the fax that those who question society often have hard lives, but he emphasizes the importance in doing so in "Cloud Atlas".