Stranger in a Strange Land: Analysis of Major Characters
"Stranger in a Strange Land" is a science fiction novel that explores complex themes through its major characters, primarily focusing on Valentine Michael (Mike) Smith, a human raised by Martians. Smith, who possesses unique abilities and an alien perspective on social and moral issues, embarks on a journey of self-discovery after being brought to Earth. His upbringing on Mars instills in him values and concepts unfamiliar to humans, such as the profound significance of sharing water as a bond of trust. Ben Caxton, a cynical but determined journalist, becomes one of Smith's key allies and eventually embraces his vision. Gillian Boardman, a devoted nurse, plays a crucial role in Smith's escape and becomes a leader within his emerging religion. Jubal E. Harshaw, a wealthy and reclusive intellectual, mentors Smith and helps him navigate the complexities of Earth while challenging societal norms. Other notable figures include Joseph Edgerton Douglas, a conflicted politician, and Reverend Doctor Daniel Digby, a manipulative religious leader. Together, these characters contribute to the novel's exploration of identity, spirituality, and the clash between differing worldviews.
Stranger in a Strange Land: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
First published: 1961
Genre: Novel
Locale: Bethesda, Maryland; the Poconos; and Las Vegas, Nevada
Plot: Science fiction
Time: After World War III, in the near future
Valentine Michael (Mike) Smith, the protagonist, who was born on Mars of two human scientists but was reared by Martians. “Rescued” and taken to Earth in his mid-twenties, he appears weak and underdeveloped, but his grave eyes reveal his intense curiosity and desire to behave “rightly.” Trained by the Martian “Old Ones,” he is, at least mentally, more Martian than human and has alien concepts of social and moral relationships. Because water is so scarce on Mars, for example, to share it with another creates an unbreakable bond of trust and mutual responsibility with one's “water brothers.” Death, sex, property, lying, guilt, jealousy, and money are all unknown to Martians, whose sole purpose appears to be to “grok” (Martian for “to totally comprehend”) everything in the universe. Smith's Martian heritage thus makes him appear extremely innocent to other humans, but, in fact, he has many superhuman powers. These allow him to manipulate, or even separate himself from, his body, to levitate or destroy objects simply through the power of his mind, and to retain and digest immense amounts of information. As the sole survivor of the first, ill-fated expedition to Mars, Smith is both heir to fabulous wealth and the legal “owner” of the entire planet Mars. This makes him a political hot potato for the world government of the Federation, which attempts to keep him incommunicado at the Bethesda hospital complex near Washington, D.C. With the help of newfound human friends, however, he escapes from the clutches of the Federation and begins an odyssey of self-discovery and self-education in the nature of the human condition. He eventually uses his new awareness and Martian powers to develop and propagate a religious philosophy that combines Martian wisdom with sexual ecstasy and openness, as well as a revelation of the universal “Godhood” and individual responsibility of all creatures who “grok” the cosmos.
Ben Caxton, a well-known free-lance investigative reporter. Caxton is streetwise, cynical, persistent, and ruggedly handsome. Extremely hostile to the current political leadership, he attempts to achieve Smith's release from Bethesda but is foiled, drugged, and held captive by the evil police forces of the Federation. Later released, he becomes one of Smith's water brothers and champions but remains skeptical about Smith's new faith. In the end, however, he, like others who become close to Smith, accepts Smith's vision and becomes an important supporter of it.
Gillian (Jill) Boardman, an extremely attractive registered nurse at Bethesda, dedicated both to her profession and to Ben Caxton. Asked by Caxton to spy on Smith, she discovers that the minions of the Federation plan to eliminate him. She dresses Smith as a nurse and escapes with him to the estate of Jubal Harshaw. As Smith's first water brother, as well as his nurse and teacher in the customs of Earth folk, Boardman accompanies the “Man from Mars” on his voyage of self-discovery and ultimately becomes a high priestess in his universal religion.
Jubal E. Harshaw, a rich and eccentric recluse. The paunchy, curmudgeonly septuagenarian effortlessly churns out an unending series of popular literary works under a variety of pseudonyms. He is also both a brilliant doctor and an incisive lawyer but has refused to involve himself in the affairs of the outside world until Boardman and Smith arrive at his compound as refugees. Intensely interested in Smith's Martian mentality, especially after he learns of the latter's superhuman powers, Harshaw slyly defeats the government's attempts to recapture Smith. He becomes yet another water brother, as well as Smith's spiritual father, and guides the young man's education, expressing a philosophy of skeptical agnosticism and rugged individualism. He then sends Smith and Boardman out into the world to experience it at first hand. Although he is initially distressed by reports that Smith has started a new church, Harshaw ultimately realizes that he himself inspired it and becomes its leader after Smith's sacrificial death.
The Honorable Joseph Edgerton Douglas, the secretary general of the Federation. A middle-aged but handsome politician dominated by his ambitious wife, Douglas stakes his political future on controlling Smith yet does not approve of the violent and underhanded methods used by his subordinates. He is relieved of the need to resolve this conflict by Harshaw, who negotiates to achieve Smith's freedom by giving Douglas general control over both Smith's wealth and future relations with Martians.
The Reverend Doctor Daniel Digby, the supreme bishop of the Fosterite Church of the New Revelation. The leader of a politically powerful religion, Digby is both a cynical con man and a sincere religious leader. The Fosterites combine high-technology showmanship, hard-sell commercialism, and a revivalist theology to convert the masses and dominate politics. Digby attempts to win the “Man from Mars” to the faithful, but Smith senses a great “wrongness” in the Supreme Bishop and sends him directly to the Fosterite heaven. The Fosterites later declare an unsuccessful holy war against Smith and his followers.