Entry #2

Are there are any current situations in the world that relate to the
novel? What are they, and how do they relate? Does the novel shed any
light on how current situations could be resolved or “fixed”?

One situation that relates to this dystopian novel is the use of nuclear energy in society. Nuclear energy is an energy source discovered quite recently that is highly efficient but has some acknowledged setbacks. One of these setbacks is its power to destruct that is widely known through the nuclear bomb. In the novel, the triffids’ extracts are profitable for mankind. Thus men mass-produce them for and only for mankind’s benefits. The key point here is that the men knew what triffids were capable of but were too arrogant to compare their intellect to mankind. This results in the fall of man. Likewise, nuclear energy is profitable but with one coincidence, like the green comets that blinded men in the novel, nuclear bombs could be unleashed upon mankind to bring a dystopian world.

The novel shows a triffid expert Walter playing with ideas of triffids and their capabilities. He was willing to lay down his pride and actually examine them straight-forwardly. As a result, Walter makes up his mind that triffids would be way better off for survival than a blind human would. This idea is planted into Bill’s mind and shows him later in the novel how a slightly humbled point of view could prove to be deadly accurate. Likewise, nuclear energy and its capabilities should not only be discovered and ignored but taken care of. Weapons as dangerous as nuclear bombs should not have been introduced to begin with. They only bring nothing decent into the world. This situation could be resolved with the disposing and banning of nuclear weapon development. However, mankind will have to let go of greed, power, and pride. This conclusion brings me to these questions. Why is man so desperate to gain power? Why is violence always the answer? “Is having power really for a country’s well-being? The world is filled with violence and a struggle for power. However I see nothing profited as a result. Bringing power into a country only reduces and brings poverty to others. Why is money and power such a big deal? Is it just inside a human? These questions should be reflected in all the hearts of the men of leadership that are making the world more and more like a triffid waiting for just one coincidence to dystopia.