screenplay for the film and the complexities
within the
original novel inevitably created a
different story-line for the film.
One of the
major deletions taking place during the
adaptation of the
novel was the mystical,
enigmatic-messiah-character called
Wilbur
Mercer, and his ideals called "Mercerism".
By grasping the handles of what is
described as a "black empathy
box" the
characters are able to begin "fusion" with
Wilbur Mercer
and simultaneously with anyone
else who, at that moment in time, are
using an
empathy box. This "fusion" consists of sharing
one's own
thoughts and feelings with other
people and understanding and
experiencing their
thoughts. Mercer is portrayed as an elderly
man
dressed in a "dull featureless robe",
perpetually ascending a
relentless hill within a
barren hostile environment. Rocks are thrown
by
unseen tormentors whilst one ascends, and
physical harm can
result if contact is made by
these missiles.
This "physical merging accompanied by |
mental and spiritual identification" has the
ability to
take away mental loneliness, which is
very important within a world
where most of the
animal population is extinct. It is this
human
desire to own a real pet or animal that
dominates the novel's
story-line compared to the
film.
Rick Deckard is prepared to risk his own
life by trying to earn
enough bounty money to
purchase a real live sheep or any
natural
animal, so that he can care for it as a family
pet. It
represents a kind of social status to
own an authentic animal, rather
than an electric
replicant or android. It seems to demoralise
a
person or family and reflects negatively with
other people or
neighbours. This can supposedly
deprive them of true "fusion" with
Mercer. The
ascent of the hill in "fusion" represents
their
individual life: ascending for approaching
honourability. It
is also considered bad
etiquette to enquire if someone's animal
is
genuine or not.
Rick Deckard in the novel is classified a
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