He, She and It

Though she is the novel’s protagonist, Shira is a relatively passive character. Throughout most of the text, she lacks the technical skills (or, at least, the belief in her own abilities) of Avram or Malkah while lacking the philosophical quandary that makes Yod such a vital character. Indeed, she spends most of the novel slowly falling in love with Yod, pining for her son, and assisting others in their projects. By the end of the text, however, Shira has rediscovered her vitality. She takes Malkah’s position and reconciles her grief for her lost loved ones. While the novel is chiefly concerned with the humanity of the cyborg, Shira’s slow journey toward self-actualization and self-acceptance is the most prominent narrative.

To some extent, Shira’s life is defined by three lovers. Her youth is preoccupied with Gadi; the young couple are so in love that Gadi’s infidelity leads Shira to believe that her capacity for love is broken. The end of this relationship leads Shira directly to Josh, an adequate partner whose lack of emotional engagement is preferable to the hurt Shira. After losing such an important relationship, Shira settles down with Josh to prevent herself from being hurt.