Title: The Philosopher’s Apprentice
Author: James Morrow
Date of First Publication: 2008
Place of First Publication: William Morrow/HarperCollins
Type: Novel
Characters: No Character
Themes: ANDROID; BYRONIC HERO; MAD SCIENTIST/MONSTER; RACE/POLITICS; SYMPATHETIC MONSTER
Critical Summary: Mason Ambrose, a brilliant philosopher and a failed doctoral candidate, accepts an offer to tutor the young Londa Sabacthani. Londa is a young woman who lost her memory and moral sense in a supposed freak accident, and Mason’s job is to travel to the remote island on which she lives and provide her with a sense of ethics. However, not all is as it appears, and soon after fulfilling his duties, Mason must watch as Londa embarks into the modern world, dogmatic in her newfound ideals.
The Philosopher’s Apprentice pays homage to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, drawing parallels in both plot and character. Mason serves as a representative for Victor Frankenstein, molding Londa’s consciousness to match his own moral ideals. Much like Victor, he initially views his “creation” as successful, until his creation is forced to reside in the modern world, full of opposing moralities.
“Android” is a central plot device in this novel, as Londa herself is a homunculus. The aborted fetuses who are brought back to life are manipulated by Felix Pielmeister for political ideals also fit the “Android” theme. Londa Sabacthani is the novel’s “Byronic Hero.” She struggles with her newfound moral philosophies and their place in the modern era. Londa is unwavering in her ideals and often seeks extrene solutions. The novel and Frankenstein also share themes of “Mad Scientists.” Nearly every character who attempts to create or mold another character in The Philosopher’s Apprentice sees their ambition lead to a loss of control over their respective creatures. Dr. Charnock creates a machine that gives birth to all of the homunculi throughout the novel. However, the creatures that are born from such a machine are used for nefarious purposes, and although they terrorize the general population, they suffer their own internal struggle with their inception and death. This also brings up the theme of the “Sympathetic Monster”.
As Londa is thrust into the modern world, she notices how her version of ideal morality combats those of the people she encounters, revealing itself in differences of race and politics. Both in the subjugation of the “lower” homunculi by those in power, as well as the hierarchy of class distinction enforced through maintenance of the economic pecking order, “Race/Politics” plays a major role in the novel.
Administrative Notes: Tyler Leung, CSUF; Alexis Shanley, CSUF (editing)