themes vs thesis

“Solaris”: Lem’s Book vs. Soderbergh’s Movie Research Paper

Introduction, works cited.

Exploration of human nature is a common theme in literature and cinema. The science fiction genre is especially notable for attention to this topic. One of the most common ways of evoking the theme of human nature is to have human characters interact with alien minds. This approach was also taken by Stanisław Lem in his novel Solaris, which was adapted into a movie with the same title directed by Steven Soderbergh. Although the novel and the film are similar on the surface, on a thematic level, they relay different stories, which determines noticeable distinctions in plot, characters, and themes.

Plotwise, the novel and the film are similar, as the movie adaptation generally does not detract from the original script. In both cases, a psychiatrist, Kris Kelvan, travels to the planet Solaris, which has a strange ocean capable of psychologically affecting the people who study it aboard a space station. Each researcher sees and can interact with a replica of an important person of their past lives, which are creations by the ocean. Kris sees his long-decease wife Rheya to whom he becomes attached again. As the rest of the researchers attempt to remove the replicas, Kris seeks to protect Rheya from them.

There are differences in how the relationship between Kris and Rheya develops. In the book, Rheya realizes that she is not real, which causes her to have suicidal ideations. She conspires with other researchers, Snow and Sartorius, to stage suicide secretly from Kris. Her plan succeeds, while Sartorius completes the work on a machine that would permanently stop the replicas from appearing (Lem 302). In contrast, the movie version of the relationship is more flashed out with a special emphasis put on the exploration of past events in Kris’ and Rheya’s lives. Rheya’s ending is similarly tragic with her convincing one of the researchers to help with a suicide.

The most drastic plot difference is the ending, which signifies how differently the director and the author concluded the story. The film’s version has traumatized Kris hallucinates about his return to Earth and subsequent difficulties in living a normal life. However, the unrealistic healing of a cut fingertips him off about his real whereabouts – the space station, which is being destroyed. When he sees a vision of Rheya forgiving him, Kris comes to terms with his actions and life (Solaris 01:35:00). In comparison, the novel is more open-ended with Kris traveling to the ocean determined to study it until he understands the meaning of life.

Character depictions are similar in general, but there are differences in detail. Both the movie and the novel depict Kris as a researchers interested in solving the mystery of the ocean while being influenced by his past love life. However, in the book, all of Kris’ actions stem from his obsession with the ocean. His inability to comprehend Solaris constitutes his main character flaw. Meanwhile, Kris in the movie is primarily motivated by his desire to return to a happy marriage. The mysterious replicas serve as the vehicle through which Kris attempts to fix his love life.

Depictions of Rheya differ because the author and the director base her on different concepts. In the book, Rheya is first and foremost, a replica who is not a real person. Furthermore, all replicas are the means that the ocean uses to communicate with people. Rheya’s character is an attempt to achieve understanding between entirely different beings. Meanwhile, in the movie, Rheya is predominantly a memory Kris has of his deceased wife. Her character revolves around the idea of attempting to fix the mistakes of previous life and create an ideal romance. Meanwhile, the ocean provides the means of exploring the subtleties of human love through the replica of Rheya.

Other researchers also have distinct portrayals in the movie and the book. The similarity is that in both versions, the researchers are against continuing interactions with the replicas. However, in the movie, one of the plot twists is that Snow is actually dead, while the character Sartorius and Kris were interacting with was actually a replica of Snow (Solaris 01:10:00). Not only does it not happen in the book, but Sartotius is changed to Dr. Gordon is the film. Dr. Gordon is more reserved and analytical compared to her book counterpart who is essentially on the brink of madness.

The most important distinction between the novel and the film is the main theme. The book is about human limitations, which prevent them from understanding and properly interacting with alien life. The entire story revolves around the attempt to communicate with a mind, which is vastly different from humans (Solaris 124). However, neither the futuristic scientific knowledge that researchers possess, nor the latest technological breakthrough allowing humanity to traverse space helps them in understanding the ocean. All subsequent suicides are the consequences of the scientists’ inability to manage their own limitations.

In contrast, the film is primarily a romance story transpiring in a bizarre location. The film explores love, regret, hope, and despair, all of which are expressed within the context of the relationship between Kris and Rheya. The movie is an exploration of deeper emotions, which is facilitated by the ocean’s replicas. Meanwhile, the ability to interact with them allows the audience to ponder the possibility of returning lost love interests as well as spending more time with them. The ocean’s ability to replicate Rheya is precisely the reason why Kris is interested in it.

The differences in themes underscore the messages that the novel and the film convey to the audience. The novel’s message is to accept one’s limitations and live despite being aware of one’s inability to manage all difficulties or comprehend all phenomena. It is essentially a social commentary pertaining to the nuanced relationship between an individual and society (Stepień 112). At the same time, the film’s message is to accept the mistakes committed in past relationships and not attempt to find happiness by correcting them. As a result, the film and the novel differ drastically despite having a similar plot, characters, and genre.

In conclusion, thematic differences are the reason why the story told in the film is so different from the one in the novel. Even though major events transpire in the same manner, characters’ motivations, experiences, and even endings diverge significantly. Whereas the novel is an exploration of human limitations in the face of an incomprehensibly powerful alien being, the film is a love story triggered by the alien ability to replicate one’s previous love interests. Overall, the movie adaptation is a decent and coherent narrative with an engaging atmosphere and vibrant characters, but it fails to establish the author’s original theme and main idea.

Lem, Stanisław. Solaris . Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1987.

Solaris . Directed by Steven Soderbergh, performance by George Clooney, Twentieth Century Fox, 2002.

Stepień, Katarzyna. “The Anthropocentric Perspective in Solaris by Stanisław Lem.” Currents. A Journal of Young English Philology Thought and Review , vol. 5, 2019, pp. 106-115.

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IvyPanda. (2024, May 7). “Solaris”: Lem’s Book vs. Soderbergh’s Movie. https://ivypanda.com/essays/solaris-lems-book-vs-soderberghs-movie/

"“Solaris”: Lem’s Book vs. Soderbergh’s Movie." IvyPanda , 7 May 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/solaris-lems-book-vs-soderberghs-movie/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '“Solaris”: Lem’s Book vs. Soderbergh’s Movie'. 7 May.

IvyPanda . 2024. "“Solaris”: Lem’s Book vs. Soderbergh’s Movie." May 7, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/solaris-lems-book-vs-soderberghs-movie/.

1. IvyPanda . "“Solaris”: Lem’s Book vs. Soderbergh’s Movie." May 7, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/solaris-lems-book-vs-soderberghs-movie/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "“Solaris”: Lem’s Book vs. Soderbergh’s Movie." May 7, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/solaris-lems-book-vs-soderberghs-movie/.

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The 2024 Met Gala ‘Garden of Time' theme and dress code, explained

Before celebrities like zendaya, jennifer lopez and bad bunny showcase their fierce fashion at the 2024 met gala, read all about this year's theme: "the garden of time.", by alyssa morin | e news • published may 5, 2024 • updated on may 6, 2024 at 8:26 am.

This article originally appeared on E! Online .

Prepare for the 2024 Met Gala red carpet to look like a beautiful bouquet.

On May 6, the biggest and brightest stars will step out in their most fantastical designs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This year, the annual event — hosted by Anna Wintour and cochairs Bad Bunny , Zendaya , Jennifer Lopez and Chris Hemsworth — will celebrate the Costume Institute's new exhibition: " Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion ," in which the theme is "The Garden of Time."

That means, fans can expect to see an explosion of florals and nature-inspired designs on the red carpet.

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"This innovative show will push the boundaries of our imagination," museum CEO Max Hollein said in November, per Vogue . "And invite us to experience many facets of a work, to learn more about its history, and, ultimately, to gain a deeper appreciation of its beauty."

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As Andrew Bolton, the head curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, told Vogue , "It is very much an ode to nature and the emotional poetics of fashion."

The exhibition will also have three main zones that emphasize the Earth's elements: Land, Sea and Sky.

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Amelia Nierenberg writes the Asia Pacific Morning Briefing , a global newsletter. More about Amelia Nierenberg