Summary Of Sirens Of Titan

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The Blessing of Hermes The Sirens of Titan is a story about a New England aristocrat Winston Niles Rumfoord, who encounters a temporal anomaly, called a "Chrono-Synclastic Infundibulum" while traveling in his private spaceship together with his dog Kazak. Due to this, they both exist only as wave-spirals between the sun and Betelgeuse, materializing on Earth for a short while every 59 days. Malachi Constant, the richest man in America, is invited to one of these materializations and, while there, is prophesied by Rumfoord that he will travel to Mars and father a child on Rumfoord's disdainful wife Beatrice. Both Malachi and Beatrice try to avoid the fulfillment of this prediction, which is equally disgusting to both, but of course things turn out exactly the way Rumfoord had foretold. They are forced to join an army on Mars that consists of the outcasts of the Earth, who are brainwashed into human machines and consequently lose their identity.

We are introduced to Boaz for the first time in this Martian army encampment. He was a boy who was recruited when he was 14, and had been on Mars ever since. His rank was that of a Private, First Class, but he looked more sophisticated and urbane than the superiors round him. The writer's description that, "Boaz's uniform followed every movement with silken grace", suggests that he was skillful and spruce. Boaz was Unk's "˜buddy'. In the Martian army, every man had a buddy to share the same foxhole with and to cover each other. Boaz was not bold, courageous or gallant. Boaz had a liking for Unk, and was the only one who essentially understood Unk's feelings. Boaz was dominative by environment. He never succumbed to any superior. This comes to be known when Captain Burch comes to the army tent and Boaz was slow about coming to attention. He seemed impudent, loose and leering. This reflects that Boaz lacked modesty and did not heed much to the habitual laws. Boaz had a control box, through which he could control anybody with an antenna in their skulls. Boaz had no antenna in his own skull, and his ability to be in command of others deems him to be a person of special rank. Boaz was a real commander in the army of Mars. He was in command of one-tenth of the force that was to attack the United States of America. Boaz was enjoying his fortune being in control of the troops and did having any antenna in his own skull. His was free and did not mind having fun at the cost of others. But no matter how happy he might have been, there was a gnawing feeling of anxiety in him. He was constantly worried and felt insecure about keeping his fortunate position in life.

"His smiles never lasted very long. Somewhere deep inside Boaz was worried sick. He was worried sick about loosing his job." Boaz was not satisfied with his life. He was discontented for not being able to enjoy the pleasures on earth. He envied Unk for the fortune he had on Earth. Unk was periodically subjected to Boaz's aggravation through the control box which he carried. Boaz was also dependent on Unk, as he did not have the slightest notion as to how to have a good time on Earth. This was the reason he had made Unk his buddy and remained close to him. Boaz's only dream was to go to a Hollywood night club and Unk was the only medium that could get him there.

"You had everything a man needs to really lead hisself a life on Earth and you knowed how to do it, too." The lack of mental freedom or an innate dignity of Boaz is also depicted from that fact that he did not drink. He thought drinking might reduce his capability as a soldier and cleave him off him position. The description of Boaz in the letter Unk wrote to himself describes the hypocrisy in Boaz's character.

"Watch out for Boaz, Unk. He is not what he seems." Boaz was also intelligent and adroit. He arranged for himself and Unk to go on board the mother ship which carried supplies. This would have saved them from the hustle and toil others had to go through.

Boaz had not done any good to anyone ever. His job was to control the chimerical men and torture them when required. He did not have any friends and mates and began feeling lonely. He had the means of making people obey him, but he was dissatisfied, as he could not make anyone love him or respect him. He had become cynical of what he wanted in life and what he expected out of people. He laughed at the dumb way he had led his life. This self-realization took place on the space ship for the first time.

"I don't want none of this crap!" Boaz and Unk were sent to Mercury before Earth by Winston Niles Rumfoord as he did not want Unk to be killed in the war on Earth. On Mercury Boaz felt spiritually glorified; he felt the comfort and serenity he had never before experienced in life. Boaz had a mystic communion with the harmoniums in the caves of mercury. Boaz was mentally tough and had the audacity to go on in life. He was ready to face adverse situations and battle it out until there was concurrence between his thoughts and his life. He had also learned the art of patience and endurance.

"All I know is that we are being tested by somebody or something a whole lot smarter than us, and all I can do is to be friendly and keep calm and try and have a nice time till it's over." The Harmoniums of Mercury had taught Boaz to be happy and content in life. For the first time Boaz felt completely free, not bound by the chains of expectations. He did not want to face the "˜truth' about the insects, and constantly warned Unk in his mind for bringing them up. He did not want to tell Unk that he had strangled his friend Stony Stevenson to death. Boaz had changed; he had lost his malevolence and will to inflict pain. He wanted to stay there for the rest of his life. Thus, we see a transition in Boaz's character. He did not want to go to Earth and be among people anymore. For the first time in his life, he felt the serenity which he had never before experienced. He had no desires left for the "˜Hollywood night clubs' and Earthly charms. He then spent the rest of his life on Mercury between his insects and the "˜harmonious' melody he created for them.

"I found me a place where I can do good without doing any harm, and I can see I'm doing good, and then I'm doing good for know I'm doing it, and they love me Unk as best as they can. I found me a home"