John Isidore being special has always been described as a disability. I think that even though his intellect might not be as high, he is able to reach a level of emotional intelligence that no other character can. Isidore is the only character who cares animals, humans, and androids. When Isidore is made to call the owners of the cat who died he seemed to feel genuinely sad for its death and for the grief the death caused the owner. His colleague was only concerned about the business dealings and what to do with the cat. This was a small scene but it showed just how Isidore cared about people who didn’t treat him as an equal.
John demonstrates his ability to care later on when he learns the that Pris and her friends are androids. Isidore doesn’t care that they are androids and volunteers to help and protect him. The androids are surprised by his willingness to help them and he earns their admiration. Pris says, “You’re a great man, Isidore, you’re a credit to your race.” (Dick 151). I found it interesting that John wishes to be more like the androids because of the intelligence and the androids liked Isidore for his ability to care and empathize. They both were able to see what they are unable to do in the other.
The question I had was John being special actually a blessing? Is his ability to care make him more human than any other character in the book?
John is a fascinating character in the sense that he turns his disability into the ability of having emotional intelligence that others do not. This can most definitely be considered a blessing in disguise. In the world he lives in, John is looked down upon. He is a human with low mental intelligence and high emotional intelligence, which is the opposite of certain androids. John is more human than anyone in this book and it is a shame is genius goes by unnoticed.
*his genius
John’s empathy comes from being able to understand emotions in others. He feels as though he must protect those who are in danger. The level of empathy he feels far surpasses that of every character we have met in the book. By the standards of this society, the more empathy a person feels the more human that person is. John’s lack of intellect has provided him with the experience of being unwanted, and thus he can empathize with the Androids. Isidore being special is a blessing to the androids.
John being identified as special is wrong. I believe he is more human than any other so called “human” in the book. John has the ability to feel empathy for everyone and everything. A good example of John showing empathy is when he went ahead and tried to save the cat. Now, john may have been unable to tell the difference between alive or mechanical but I believe it goes on to the fact that he still tried. Most people in this world if they are able to identify machine from human they will not care for the machine as much as the human.
I think the whole point of john is to show the most “human” and empathetic version of humanity. Although he is a chickenhead he symbolizes humanity in its most purest form. His empathy is more genuine than any other human character in the novel. It is interesting to see it play out in the story that he is more empathetic/emotional due to his disability.