Children Of Men: The Abuse Of Human Rights
The novel ‘Children of Men’ is a dystopian science fiction book written by P.D. James. This text revolves around the protagonist Theo Faron in a world where a pandemic in 1994 caused infertility in all men. Through the text, James comments on the value and abuse of human rights. This is conveyed in the novel through the description of the harsh and unjust treatment within the Quietus, Man Penal Colony and the abuse of the rights of Sojourners. ‘Children of Men’ discusses the values by which governments run on and operate by. This is showed through the way that the government acts towards their citizens.
A fear that exists in society and that is quite evident in the novel ‘Children of Men’ is the abuse of human rights for individuals and groups. Xan …show more content…
This is effectively highlighted in the phrase ‘generosity is a virtue for individuals, not governments.’This is further discussed through the use of the repetition in the line ‘when governments are generous it is with other people’s money, other people’s safety, other people’s future.’ The government is not willing to sacrifice their own resources but provide for their citizens through the abuse of others and their rights.This theme is continued through the use of the Sojourners by the public and by the government. In Theo’s conversation with Xan, he describes them as ‘helots’. This was a class in ancient Sparta in between slaves and citizens. This word gives the impression that although they are a lower class, they still receive basic rights, yet this is soon contradicted where he states that the Sojourners are treated as ‘slaves’. They are forced into physically laborious jobs such as mending roads and cleaning sewers. Yet after their servitude to England, they are swiftly deported upon turning sixty. Xan ‘can’t afford to be merciful’ to the Sojourners, granting them the rewards earned, but will do whatever is ‘necessary to
A fear that exists in society and that is quite evident in the novel ‘Children of Men’ is the abuse of human rights for individuals and groups. Xan …show more content…
This is effectively highlighted in the phrase ‘generosity is a virtue for individuals, not governments.’This is further discussed through the use of the repetition in the line ‘when governments are generous it is with other people’s money, other people’s safety, other people’s future.’ The government is not willing to sacrifice their own resources but provide for their citizens through the abuse of others and their rights.This theme is continued through the use of the Sojourners by the public and by the government. In Theo’s conversation with Xan, he describes them as ‘helots’. This was a class in ancient Sparta in between slaves and citizens. This word gives the impression that although they are a lower class, they still receive basic rights, yet this is soon contradicted where he states that the Sojourners are treated as ‘slaves’. They are forced into physically laborious jobs such as mending roads and cleaning sewers. Yet after their servitude to England, they are swiftly deported upon turning sixty. Xan ‘can’t afford to be merciful’ to the Sojourners, granting them the rewards earned, but will do whatever is ‘necessary to