"Escape from Spiderhead", by George Saunders, shows an interesting power dynamic between Abnesti and Jeff. On the one had, there is an obvious power binary in the fact that one is the scientist and the other the lab rat. It is quite clear who has the power and who doesn't. But, there are times when this power dynamic flips. The most notable one, in my opinion, is when Jeff refuses to say "Acknowledge" when Abnesti is trying to give him Docilryde. For a moment, Jeff has the power and Abnesti can't do anything about it until he gets the waiver.
But, I feel like there is also some mutual recognition between Abnesti and Jeff. One time where this mutual recognition is apparent is when Abnesti is talking with Jeff before giving Heather the Darkenfloxx. It seems that Jeff and Abnesti, in that moment, both subjectively recognize each other.
I totally agree with you, about the power struggles present (and even the mutual recognitions sometimes) in the story. And I thought it was also cool getting to watch out for times the roles were reversed, as you pointed out with Jeff refusing to "acknowledge".
ReplyDeleteBuilding on what Meghan said, I'd also say that it is interesting how saunders posits power in this story. He seems to even take the power back by "escaping" at the end. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteStill being a reform/punishment setup, like a prison, Abnesti still has the general power over Jeff . However, Jeff, at this specific location, for how much it is unlike a regular containment facility, does at points have power. Like Acknowledge.
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