In the novel ÃÂA Cage of ButterfliesÃÂ, author Brian Caswell raises a number of socio-cultural values and assumptions. He does this through his charactersÃÂ thoughts and dialogue as he guides the reader through the story of seven adolescents, two young adults and the ÃÂBabiesÃÂ that they all love. This group of people live or work at ÃÂthe farmÃÂ ÃÂ a place for young people with high IQÃÂs. Greg, Mikki and the other children are having an O.K. life at the farm, where they can all fit in despite their differences. But what about the five younger ÃÂBabiesÃÂ? With the help of Susan and Erik, two employees at the farm, the mystery soon unfolds to reveal a presentation of human cruelty.
This essay will address three of the socio-cultural values and assumptions that Caswell raises in the novel. These will be:The assumption that sameness is encouraged and differences are discouraged in todayÃÂs society, whether they are disabilities or extraordinary abilities.
The ethics of human experimentation,And the powerlessness of children.
The first socio-cultural assumption to be addressed in this essay is that differences are discouraged in our society, and that sameness is encouraged. CaswellÃÂs beliefs about this point show through in the novel when Greg and Mikki are discussing how difficult the super-intelligent BabiesÃÂ lives must have been.
ÃÂÃÂ we only had to deal with peopleÃÂs ordinary, everyday prejudices. ÃÂDonÃÂt be too clever.ÃÂ ÃÂ ÃÂDonÃÂt walk around on crutches dragging your legs behind you and making me feel uncomfortable.ÃÂ ÃÂBe normal. Be the same as me.ÃÂÃÂ (pg 117) Caswell seems to believe that people in todayÃÂs society are not accustomed to differences and would prefer everyone to be the same in order for themselves to be ÃÂcomfortableÃÂ.
However, when Greg says this, he is not actually quoting people, more so their...