Children of Dystopia
Is There a Future in Our Collective future?
Children of Men Gives a Bleak Outlook on Fertility Rates, but Hope Shines through the Darkness and Why we Shouldn’t Lose Faith in Humanity
Hey there, fellow readers! Today I will be sharing some thoughts I have been having about P.D. James' 1992 novel (and 2006 film adaptation), "Children of Men". As a book that was published over 25 years ago, "Children of Men" is even more relevant today, what with the declining fertility rates in our world. James' premise is simple -- the last human child was born in 1995, and no child has been born since. Sounds gloomy, right? But, stick around because, just like in the book, a message of hope prevails.
As a person who has been a long time fan of dystopian novels, I have read them all (maybe, most, not all). When I see people correctly equating today’s zeitgeist with books (films) like: Orwell’s 1984, which is probably the most popular and well-known dystopian novel; or Huxley’s Brave New World (closer); or Dick’s “Man in the High Castle;” I reflect that with its emphasis on hatred for immigrants, environmental collapse, with a corresponding fertility disaster; I believe we are closest to Children of Men concept, than not. But, in the end, Children of Men leaves me with, shall I dare say it, “hope.”
Picture this: a world where men have become infertile as universal sperm count becomes zero, and the last baby was born almost 20 years ago. Then, out of nowhere, a woman gets pregnant, and the hope of human reproduction is reignited. This is the premise of the novel Children of Men, and it's a story that resonates with us on a deeper level. In a world filled with chaos and despair, and plummeting birth rates, a new life brings hope and restores our faith in humanity. But there's more to this story than meets the eye. In fact, the first baby in Children of Men can be likened to the hope of the Messiah's birth, and the parallels are striking.
The first thing to understand is that the birth of the first baby in Children of Men is highly symbolic. It marks a turning point in the narrative, and it's what gives the characters, and by extension, the audience/reader, hope. In the same vein, the birth of the Messiah in the Bible is, for me, a profoundly symbolic event. It represents a new beginning, a renewal of faith, and the redemption of humanity. The parallels are clear: both births are a ray of light in a dark world.
But there's more. Both narratives deal with themes of power, control, and rebellion. In Children of Men, like our world today, governments, and the greedy ones in the shadows, hold all the power, and the people are oppressed and marginalized. The birth of the baby, however, sparks a rebellion and gives the people something to fight for. In the Bible, the world is ruled by sin, death, and Rome; but the birth of Jesus represents a challenge to that power. As written, his teachings, miracles, and eventual resurrection empower the oppressed and give them hope.
Moreover, both narratives feature characters who are chosen to play a significant role in the story. In Children of Men, Theo (played by Clive Owen in the film) is a former activist who becomes the baby's protector. He is chosen, in a way, to help bring the baby to safety and ensure her survival. In the Bible, Mary is chosen to give birth to the Messiah and raise him. She plays a significant role in the story and embodies qualities of faith, humility, and courage.
Another similarity between the stories is the element of sacrifice. In Children of Men, the characters make sacrifices for the baby's safety, including, risking his life: Theo, whose name is of Greek origin and literally means “God’s gift.” Similarly, in the Bible, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is what allows humanity to be saved. Both narratives show that hope and change require sacrifice and selflessness.
The first baby in Children of Men and the hope of the Messiah's birth are more similar than one might think. They both represent a beacon of light in a dark world, challenge oppressive systems of power, feature chosen characters, and require sacrifice. These parallels remind us that hope is not lost, even in the darkest of times.
I believe the Bible is as much fiction as the novel Children of Men, but, as activists and advocates, what keeps us going? We might not have a miraculous baby or a savior, but we can cling to the hope that change is possible and strive towards a better world. Sometimes, all it takes is a little faith in ourselves, our neighbors, and humanity.
CHILDREN OF MEN: THE MIRACLE
I don’t know about any of you, but I am kind of over being anxious all the time.
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I like when people connect stories to the real world.
The symbolism of the returning of Christ is more likely the consciousness that Jesus represented.
He was pretty much a peacenik who called out authority.
His death represented a return to backward ways of domination, corruption, and low empathy of society.
The message died because society changed to promote opposite ideals.
We ended up in 1984 world.
We're headed to a return of sanity that Christ represented. I'm glad you pointed out that The Children of Men also symbolically explains this.
It seems that we are finishing the story of 1984 now, as the fake division and wars between Eurasia, Eastasia, and Oceania are being scrutinized by populations that are no longer distracted with bread and circuses, as the money has been stolen by the 1% as "investments" and debt.
There's no future for the post-Enlightenment secular world, which probably also includes China. The future belongs to Africa and Brazil and India.