Philip K. Dick Reader

There are many prominent themes in the short stories of the Philip K. Dick Reader. Themes of the increasing power of technology to warp perceptions make us really question what is reality, and what makes humans, human. Many of Dick’s writings make critiques on human society, such as human arrogance in “Fair Game,” and the role of government, such as in “The Chromium Fence.” Dick uses satire to evaluate elements of human society that he frowns down upon to try and push people to make a difference. In the futuristic world of “Paycheck,” the narrator finds himself in a world with a totalitarian government, where every move is watched. Dick makes a critique on the powers of government and business on page 362, “The modern church, sanctuary. It was the Government against the corporation rather than the State against the Church. The new Notre Dame of the world. Where the law could not follow.” Dick has examples like this scattered throughout his readings, subtle enough for most people to not give it a second thought, yet powerful enough to leave a lasting impression of his own judgments and perceptions. Dick wrote to give life to new ideas and to foreshadow possible consequences of current ones in the state of society.