Stanislaw Lem’s “Solaris”: To Be A Human

What does being human mean? Everyone has an opinion. It is not always as simple and straightforward as biology. Answers become even more ambiguous when science or technology is added. In many forms of science fiction, including films like Her and Doctor Who, as well as Twilight Zone and Twilight Zone episode, the question has been posed about when technology becomes human by adding humanity. Stanislaw lem’s Solaris novel is another example. Rheya is a character created by alien technology, but with human traits and qualities. Rheya shows human emotions in her shock at discovering she is an alien ‘visitor.’ She even tries suicide when she finds out (Lem 141). She has human experiences and memories of her past life. Kelvin finds her haunting because she embodies a sense of humanity. Kelvin’s dual emotions of fear and love towards Rheya would be less painful if only she appeared human. Rheya’s existence is dual, just like Kelvin. She is a human being, if only in her memories. However, she lives outside of the limits of humanity. These memories are not hers, as she was created from Kelvin’s memories of his dead wife. She has no human core. As a projection from Kelvin of his memories into a live being, her nature, along with how she identifies, makes her an inhuman.

Rheya’s lack of a personal identity is the main reason she cannot be considered a human. Rheya is created from Kelvin’s memories and is therefore not fully formed. People are different around different individuals, and have different secrets. Rheya lacks dimensions because she is made only of Kelvin’s memory. Kelvin was aware at first, but he didn’t seem to realize it. He is sure that Rheya is the real thing, and he believes this the first time he sees her. However, he says, “she appeared somewhat stylized, reduced into certain characteristic gestures, expressions, and movements” (58). The reason she looks stylized is that she was created out of memories. Rheya’s mom or best friend could be watching the show, and would see different versions of Rheya. They would also still look different from Rheya as a deceased person. Snow is aware of this and explains to Kelvin how “she reflects your mind in a way” (154). She is nothing more than a reflection of Kelvin’s memory, without any substance to make her a real person. Snow’s words echo something Kelvin said before: “We only seek Man.” Other worlds are not needed. We need mirrors” (72). Snow claims humans aren’t as adventurous or sophisticated as they think. People look at alien worlds through the human lens and expect them to reflect their own image back. Kelvin’s reaction is the same for both Rheya as well as Ocean. Snow says that he treats the Ocean like a person when Rheya dies. Kelvin treats the Ocean like a living being, just as he does a person. Rheya is an example of his inability not to project humanity onto things. He accepts that she’s not his wife because he says he wouldn’t love her if it were true (146). Kelvin still does not accept that Rheya has a true humanity. His memories of Rheya are what he sees in her. Kevin states “You want resistance” (154), when Kevin and Snow argue over Rheya. Kelvin feels guilty for leaving his ex-wife and causing her to kill herself. These feelings have transferred to Rheya. Snow answers that “her memory, you meant?” (153). Kelvin denies it, but some faucets are accurate. Kelvin’s memory of Rheya is what gives her the consciousness she has on Solaris. In reality, she is a projection of Kelvin’s memories of her. Kelvin is still in love with her, even though she’s not physically present. He would naturally love Rheya when her memories appear to come alive in the version he created. Snow, on the other hand, is not as naive. The reader can infer that Snow disposes of visitors when they appear regularly. Rheya becomes the only guest who can stay for a long time. Kelvin grows more attached and humanizing her during this period, and even confesses to her his love for her. It has been a common theme in science fiction that the humanoid will become more human with time. Rheya, Kelvin’s main companion is a good example of this. Kelvin’s love and guilt for Rheya, as well as his reasons for viewing her as human show that his view is not a true one.

Rheya is not as human as she appears. Rheya’s most human moment is when she realizes that her life is an ocean product and seperates her identity from her’real’ Rheya of ten years earlier. Even this moment, however, is a sign that Rheya isn’t human. She does this by telling Kelvin, “Don’t forget that I, and not Rheya the human, am here” (146). She creates an identity for herself, even though she’s made up of Kelvin’s memories. Rheya’s identity is not one of a human. She was blissfully ignorant of her origins and assumed that her humanity would be there forever. Now that she has a better understanding of her origins and identity, she accepts and embraces them, stepping away from Rheya to become herself. She never claims to be human in the novel, or even continue to claim she’s human Rheya. In her note of suicide to Kelvin, Rheya is crossed out as if she were saying that she has never been Rheya. Her suicide might be seen as an act of humanity or autonomy. She gave up herself so that Kelvin could have a better future, knowing he can’t have one. This decision is a reflection of her inhumanity. Rheya has been shaped by Kelvin’s memories. Rheya originally killed herself during a time of marital trouble between Kelvin and her. To Kelvin this would seem like the only natural thing to do when facing a devastating problem. Rheya may not be as independent as she seems to think.

The desire of human beings to imitate their own image in technology has fascinated science fiction for centuries. Rheya, unlike other humans, is created by an alien technology. She is not a real person, but a copy of Rheya. Her memories are what make her up. She was conscious; she showed horror, sadness and love. She was certainly alive. Her heart beat and her blood flowed through her veins. But is this enough to call her human? The conclusion of the examination is that she was not human.