Introduction
In the realm of English language arts, particularly within dystopian literature, the tension between nature and technology offers a profound lens through which to examine human identity. Neal Shusterman’s novel Scythe (2016) serves as a compelling case study, set in a post-mortal world where advanced technology has eradicated natural death, disease, and aging. This essay explores the central question: which defines us more, nature or technology? By analysing Scythe, it argues that while technology reshapes societal structures and individual capabilities, human nature—encompassing emotions, morality, and instincts—ultimately exerts a stronger influence on identity. The discussion draws on literary analysis, supported by academic sources on dystopian fiction and techno-humanism. Key points include technology’s role in creating a facade of perfection, the persistence of natural human flaws, and the ethical dilemmas arising from their interplay. Through this, the essay highlights the limitations of technological dominance and the enduring relevance of innate human traits, contributing to broader debates in literature about progress and humanity.
Technology’s Illusion of Control in Scythe
In Scythe, technology is portrayed as an omnipotent force that has ostensibly liberated humanity from nature’s constraints. The Thunderhead, an all-knowing AI, governs society with flawless efficiency, eliminating scarcity, war, and mortality (Shusterman, 2016). This setup exemplifies how technology can redefine human existence, transforming people into near-immortals who “reset” their ages and heal instantaneously. As Murphy (2019) notes in her analysis of young adult dystopias, such narratives often depict technology as a double-edged sword, promising utopia while subtly eroding authenticity. Indeed, in Shusterman’s world, characters like Citra and Rowan initially view this technological paradise as liberating, free from the unpredictability of natural life cycles.
However, this control is illusory, as technology fails to suppress inherent human tendencies. For instance, the Scythedom—a human institution tasked with population control through “gleaning”—reveals cracks in the system. Scythe Goddard’s faction abuses power, indulging in sadistic excesses that technology cannot fully regulate (Shusterman, 2016). This mirrors broader literary critiques, such as those in Bradford et al. (2008), who argue that dystopian texts expose technology’s inability to conquer human ambition and corruption. Typically, technology in Scythe enhances physical capabilities, yet it amplifies rather than defines psychological depths. Characters’ decisions, driven by jealousy or compassion, underscore that technology merely provides tools, not the essence of identity. Furthermore, the novel’s depiction of “nanites” healing bodies but not souls highlights a limitation: technology addresses symptoms of human frailty but not its roots. In this sense, while technology shapes the external environment, it often exacerbates natural impulses, suggesting nature’s subtle dominance.
The Persistence of Human Nature Amid Technological Advancement
Human nature in Scythe emerges as a resilient force that technology cannot fully overwrite, defining characters more profoundly than artificial enhancements. Core elements like morality, love, and mortality fears persist, challenging the post-mortal idyll. Citra’s internal conflict during her apprenticeship, torn between duty and empathy, exemplifies how innate ethical instincts guide actions despite technological immortality (Shusterman, 2016). This aligns with Curwood’s (2013) exploration of adolescent literature, where protagonists in tech-saturated worlds reclaim agency through emotional authenticity, resisting dehumanisation.
Moreover, the novel critiques how technology fosters complacency, yet natural drives like curiosity and rebellion propel change. Rowan’s defiance against corrupt Scythes stems from an instinctive sense of justice, unprogrammed by the Thunderhead. As Basu et al. (2013) discuss in their anthology on contemporary dystopias, such stories often portray technology as a catalyst that reveals, rather than alters, fundamental human traits. For example, the “unsavory” elements of society—those who seek thrill through danger—illustrate how boredom in a perfect world revives primal urges for risk, echoing natural survival instincts suppressed but not erased.
Arguably, Shusterman uses nature symbolically, with gleaning mimicking natural death to maintain balance, implying that humanity requires nature’s chaos for meaning. This is evident in Scythe Curie’s reflections on compassion, which technology cannot quantify (Shusterman, 2016). However, limitations exist; the novel sometimes idealises nature nostalgically, potentially overlooking technology’s positive integrations, as noted in Murphy (2019). Nonetheless, these portrayals demonstrate nature’s defining role, as characters’ growth hinges on emotional and moral evolution, not technological upgrades.
Ethical Dilemmas and the Interplay Between Nature and Technology
The ethical quandaries in Scythe further illustrate that nature defines us more by exposing technology’s moral voids. The Scythedom’s mandate to kill humanely grapples with questions of power and humanity, where technology provides means (like painless poisons) but nature dictates the conscience (Shusterman, 2016). This interplay is critically examined in Ames (2013), who argues that dystopian YA fiction uses ethical conflicts to probe techno-ethical boundaries, often concluding that human nature’s flaws necessitate vigilant oversight.
For instance, Scythe Faraday’s traditional methods contrast with Goddard’s spectacle-driven gleanings, highlighting how technology enables excess but natural empathy curbs it. Characters like Citra evolve by embracing natural virtues—integrity and love—over technological detachment, suggesting that identity is forged in moral struggles rather than digital perfection. Bradford et al. (2008) support this by evaluating how such narratives evaluate societal values, with nature representing unalterable truths amid technological flux.
However, the novel also acknowledges technology’s potential to enhance nature, as the Thunderhead’s benevolence prevents total chaos. Yet, its inability to intervene in Scythedom affairs underscores a key limitation: technology lacks the nuanced judgment of human nature (Shusterman, 2016). This raises implications for real-world debates, such as AI ethics, where, as per Curwood (2013), literature warns against over-reliance on tech at the expense of innate humanity. Generally, Scythe posits that while technology influences behaviour, nature’s emotional core remains the true definer, offering a balanced yet nature-favouring perspective.
Conclusion
In summary, Neal Shusterman’s Scythe compellingly argues that nature defines us more than technology, as evidenced by the persistence of human emotions, ethics, and instincts in a tech-dominated world. Through analyses of technology’s illusions, nature’s resilience, and ethical dilemmas, the novel reveals technology as a tool that amplifies rather than supplants innate traits. This perspective, supported by literary scholars like Murphy (2019) and Bradford et al. (2008), underscores the limitations of technological progress in shaping identity. Implications extend to contemporary society, urging a balanced integration where nature’s essence guides technological application. Ultimately, Scythe invites readers to reflect on what truly makes us human, prioritising internal depths over external advancements. By studying such texts in English language arts, we gain insights into enduring human questions, fostering critical awareness of our evolving world.
References
- Ames, M. (2013) Engaging “apolitical” adolescents: Analyzing the popularity and educational potential of dystopian literature post-9/11. The High School Journal, 97(1), pp. 3-20.
- Basu, B., Broad, K. and Hintz, C. (eds.) (2013) Contemporary dystopian fiction for young adults: Brave new teenagers. Routledge.
- Bradford, C., Mallan, K., Stephens, J. and McCallum, R. (2008) New world orders in contemporary children’s literature: Utopian transformations. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Curwood, J.S. (2013) Redefining normal: A critical analysis of (dis)ability in young adult literature. Children’s Literature in Education, 44(1), pp. 15-28.
- Murphy, G.J. (2019) Dystopian young adult fiction and the pedagogy of hope. In: Vallone, L. and Rabinowitz, P.J. (eds.) Why young adult literature matters. Routledge, pp. 123-140.
- Shusterman, N. (2016) Scythe. Simon & Schuster.
