The Humans

Haig focuses heavily on the topic of love. Love is a force for inspiration and beauty, and for appreciation of oneself and one’s world. It is enjoyable, pleasurable, and complicated, but worth the risk. Haig develops the theme that love is integral to survival, not divorced from it. Without love, Haig proposes, human beings cannot navigate this often cruel and lonely world. The most obvious example of this theme in action is within Andrew’s choice to become a human being. Andrew had never experienced the love of a family before because on his home planet no creature dies. With immortality, creatures don’t need the comforts of companionship, but on Earth, Andrew discovers how beautiful and life-changing love can be. Without love, he would not be motivated to keep learning more about what humans are like. Love is such a powerful force that Andrew tries to sacrifice himself for his love. Love makes Andrew feel possessive and protective of the people in his life, feelings that gives him a reason to keep on living.

This theme is also reflected in the experiences of Gulliver and Isobel. Gulliver’s depression is connected to this unhappy family life and his lack of companionship.