Excluding P. Burke and Delphi, the next three most important characters in Tiptree’s “The Girl Who Was Plugged In” are Doctor Tesla, Mr. Cantle, and Paul Isham. Doctor Tesla is one of the most important characters in the story because he essentially allows for P. Burke to become this brand-new person who is loved and adored by the world, while also benefitting out of it. Doctor Tesla is also the one who explains to Paul that he killed the person who animated the body of Delphi. Another one of the most important characters in the story is Mr. Cantle, who is with Delphi throughout the story. Mr. Cantle is who is referred to as the “fatherly man” and he is important because he thoroughly explains to P. Burke what is expected of her and the rules she must follow. Mr. Cantle also helps convince the others not to cut the transmission because it would kill the remote and hurt a huge part of the investment. Paul Isham is a character we are introduced to well into the story but he is still one of the most important characters in the story because he is Delphi’s love interest. In the story, he discovers the truth about Delphi and attempts to “save her” by finding the lab where her real “form” rests. This ultimately leads to P. Burke’s death.
This story that is set in the future can be interpreted as a critique of our own society because our society values the young and beautiful. Like in the story, we are more likely to purchase products based on the people advertising them to us. In other words, if we watch an advertisement where the model is attractive, it is more than likely that one would purchase whatever item they are selling compared to someone who is unattractive. In the story, P. Burke was seen as a monster because of her appearance, but when she was Delphi, she was adored by all. Even though she was trained to behave in a certain manner for the sake of her new job, not much could have changed about her so that proves that although P. Burke looked different, she was still the same person with the same personality, just with a newfound confidence. Our society is similar in the sense that we judge people based on attractiveness even though they might be great people and we trust those who are attractive because we assume that if we purchase the products they are advertising, we are or would be just as attractive as them.
I did not make the connection that Burke and Delphi were still the same person, emotionally and personality wise. I read through as they were two separate characters which changed the story a little bit for me as there was more of a disconnect between the pair. I think it makes things more interesting in terms of how she was accepted so openly in the beautiful young influencer suit and was shun for being the same person in her own skin.
I did not make the connection that Burke and Delphi were still the same person, emotionally and personality wise. I read through as they were two separate characters which changed the story a little bit for me as there was more of a disconnect between the pair. I think it makes things more interesting in terms of how she was accepted so openly in the beautiful young influencer suit and was shun for being the same person in her own skin.
I definitely found that there was a parallel between P Burkes situation and cultural masking. Did you feel any other parallels to modern-day concepts?
Your explanation of how the story is a critique of our own society was very well-written and thought out, great post.