“Hum” by Helen Phillips is a speculative fiction novel that delves into themes of marriage, motherhood, and selfhood in a world affected by climate change and advanced technology. The story follows May, a wife and mother who loses her job to artificial intelligence. To help her family financially, she undergoes a procedure that makes her undetectable to surveillance.
In a bid to escape their tech-addicted lives, May takes her family to a rare green refuge, the Botanical Garden. However, the trip doesn’t go as planned, and when her children are threatened, May must rely on an intelligent robot, or “hum,” to protect them.
Main Character
The main character in “Hum” by Helen Phillips is May. She is a wife and mother who faces significant challenges after losing her job to artificial intelligence. To support her family, she undergoes a procedure that makes her undetectable to surveillance. May’s journey is central to the novel, as she navigates the complexities of her new reality and the impact of technology on her life and relationships.
Central Conflict
The central conflict in “Hum” by Helen Phillips revolves around May’s struggle to protect her family in a world dominated by advanced technology and surveillance. After losing her job to artificial intelligence, May undergoes a procedure to become undetectable to surveillance systems. This decision leads her to confront the ethical and personal implications of living off the grid.
The tension escalates when May takes her family to the Botanical Garden, seeking a break from their tech-saturated lives. However, the trip turns perilous, and May must rely on an intelligent robot, or “hum,” to safeguard her children. This conflict highlights the broader themes of the novel, including the impact of technology on human relationships, privacy, and the essence of selfhood.
Key Events
Here are some key events in “Hum” by Helen Phillips:
- May Loses Her Job: The story begins with May losing her job to artificial intelligence, which sets the stage for the novel’s exploration of technology’s impact on human lives.
- The Procedure: To support her family, May undergoes a procedure that makes her undetectable to surveillance systems. This decision introduces significant ethical and personal dilemmas.
- Trip to the Botanical Garden: Seeking a break from their tech-saturated lives, May takes her family to the Botanical Garden, a rare green refuge. This trip is meant to be a respite but turns into a critical turning point in the story.
- Threat to Her Children: During their visit to the Botanical Garden, May’s children face a threat, escalating the tension and conflict in the novel.
- Relying on the “Hum”: May must depend on an intelligent robot, or “hum,” to protect her children, highlighting the novel’s themes of technology and human relationships.
- Resolution: The novel concludes with May confronting the consequences of her decisions and the broader implications of living in a world dominated by advanced technology.
Themes
“Hum” by Helen Phillips explores several profound themes:
- Technology and Surveillance: The novel delves into the pervasive impact of advanced technology and surveillance on personal freedom and privacy. May’s decision to undergo a procedure to become undetectable highlights the tension between technological advancement and individual autonomy.
- Family and Relationships: At its core, the story examines the dynamics of family and the lengths to which one will go to protect loved ones. May’s journey underscores the sacrifices and challenges faced in maintaining familial bonds in a tech-dominated world.
- Identity and Selfhood: The procedure May undergoes raises questions about identity and selfhood. The novel explores how technology can alter one’s sense of self and the ethical implications of such changes.
- Nature vs. Technology: The contrast between the natural refuge of the Botanical Garden and the tech-saturated world outside serves as a backdrop for exploring the balance between nature and technology. This theme is central to the characters’ quest for peace and normalcy.
- Ethics and Morality: The story prompts readers to consider the ethical and moral dilemmas posed by technological advancements. May’s choices and their consequences reflect broader societal questions about the role of technology in our lives.
Narrative Style
The narrative style of “Hum” by Helen Phillips is characterized by taut, urgent prose1. Phillips employs short, choppy sentences that mirror the fragmented thoughts and chaotic nature of the protagonist, May’s, daily life2. This style contributes to the novel’s unsettling atmosphere and reflects the tension and urgency of the story.
Author Point Of View
Helen Phillips, the author of “Hum”, writes from a third-person limited point of view. This perspective allows readers to closely follow the protagonist, May, and experience her thoughts, emotions, and challenges intimately.
Psychological Impact
“Hum” by Helen Phillips delves deeply into the psychological impact of living in a world dominated by advanced technology and constant surveillance. Here are some key psychological aspects explored in the novel:
- Anxiety and Paranoia: May’s decision to undergo a procedure to become undetectable to surveillance systems reflects a deep-seated anxiety about privacy and autonomy. The constant presence of surveillance technology creates a pervasive sense of paranoia and fear.
- Identity Crisis: The procedure that makes May undetectable leads to a crisis of identity. She grapples with the loss of her former self and the ethical implications of her new, altered state. This struggle highlights the psychological toll of technological advancements on personal identity.
- Isolation and Alienation: As May navigates her new reality, she experiences feelings of isolation and alienation. The novel explores how technology can create barriers between individuals, even within families, leading to a sense of disconnection and loneliness.
- Protectiveness and Fear: The threat to her children during their visit to the Botanical Garden amplifies May’s protective instincts and fear. This situation underscores the psychological burden of parenthood in a world where technology can both aid and endanger.
- Moral and Ethical Dilemmas: May’s choices throughout the novel force her to confront complex moral and ethical dilemmas.
Personal Reflection
Reflecting on “Hum” by Helen Phillips, the novel offers a profound exploration of the intersection between technology and human experience. Here are some personal reflections:
- It raises important questions about privacy, autonomy, and the ethical use of technology.
- Family Dynamics: May’s journey highlights the complexities of family relationships in a tech-driven world.
- underscores the importance of finding moments of peace and grounding in our increasingly digital lives.
- Ethical Dilemmas: May’s ethical and moral struggles invite readers to consider their own values and the difficult choices they might face in similar situations. The novel encourages a deeper examination of what it means to live ethically in a technologically advanced society.
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