LITR 4632: Literature of the Future
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Student Presentation, 2003

Sara Sills

Living and Adapting with other Species

Movie:  Enemy Mine.  Directed by Wolfgang Peterson, 1985.

Objectives:

1. To identify, describe, and criticize the narratives or stories humans tell about the future: 
         A.  Apocalyptic
2. Evolutionary

2. To identify, describe, and criticize several typical visions or scenarios of the future.

                  D.  off-planet and/or alien contact-exploring and being explored

Summary: 

While fighting a futuristic war for territory in space, a human and a member of an alien species named the Drak learn to live as allies after both go down in flight.  Two species who have been fighting for generations have to now learn not only how to survive with each other, but also how to help each other adapt in this unique environment.  Two beings who are intent on killing the other realize the only way to survive is to help each other.

Questions:

1. Alien encounters are often presented as an invasion of the alien or human race by force upon the other.  If put in a situation where there is a one on one encounter with no outside forces, do you think we as humans would be able to live and adapt with another kind?  (How do we live with others who are not like us even on this environment, and compare/contrast)
2. If we were to land on another region in space and found life other than our own, do you think we would concentrate more on conquering the race itself, and having domination?  Or do you think we would be more interested in studying them peacefully so as to integrate ideas and culture from both species and live as one? Apocalyptic or evolutionary?

Discussion Notes:

Heather:  Humans would try to be dominant, even if they are neutral.

Kate:  We want to explore and conquer.

Dr. White:  It is hard to find alien contact where they wouldn’t be like us- aggressive.

Jonathan:  ET is an example of friendship, not dominance.

Jennifer:  We want to study what we do not understand.

Kate:  If we are placed in a one-on-one confrontation with an alien species, instead of an entire group, we may be able to get along better, but still dominate.

Dr. White: A literary strategy like this movie is to get individuals out of their culture. 

Sara:  When different cultures are in isolation together, they can weave aspects of each culture in and out with each others’.

Kathy:  In the movie, it was neutral ground for both foreigners, so there is a better chance of acquiring knowledge from the other.

Dr. White:  The battleground world is competition, but can shift into the realm of cooperation

Jonathan:  What would the dynamics be of three different species?  EX. Starship Troopers.