We can never be gods, after all - but we can become something less than human with frightening ease

We can never be gods, after all - but we can become something less than human with frightening ease

In the world of N.K. Jemisin's novels, the idea that humans can become something less than human with frightening ease is a recurring theme. Jemisin's works often explore the darker aspects of humanity and the potential for individuals to lose their humanity in pursuit of power, control, or revenge.

One of the most striking examples of this theme can be found in Jemisin's critically acclaimed Broken Earth trilogy. In this series, the characters are faced with a world on the brink of destruction, where the very earth itself is rebelling against humanity. As the characters struggle to survive in this harsh and unforgiving landscape, they are forced to confront their own inner demons and the ways in which they are capable of losing their humanity in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The character of Essun, a powerful orogene who can manipulate the earth's energy, serves as a prime example of this theme. Throughout the series, Essun is forced to make difficult choices in order to protect herself and her loved ones. As she becomes more powerful and more desperate to survive, she begins to lose touch with her own humanity, becoming more ruthless and cold in her pursuit of her goals.

Similarly, in Jemisin's novel The Fifth Season, the character of Syenite is faced with the challenge of navigating a world where those with power are able to manipulate and control others with frightening ease. As Syenite struggles to assert her own agency and resist the forces that seek to dehumanize her, she is forced to confront the ways in which she herself is capable of losing her humanity in the pursuit of power and control.

Overall, N.K. Jemisin's works serve as a powerful reminder of the fragility of human nature and the potential for individuals to lose their humanity in the face of adversity. Through her thought-provoking and often unsettling narratives, Jemisin challenges readers to confront their own capacity for darkness and to consider what it truly means to be human in a world that is constantly testing our limits.