What is this novels narrative structure?

s 1968
novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? has, in many ways, a rather
ordinary narrative structure. The relatively short novel is divided into 22 fairly brief
chapters. The narrative itself takes place in a single setting: a futuristic, post-apocalyptic
version of San Francisco. In addition, the main action of the novel all takes place within a
single day.

The brief chapters, simplified setting, and short timespan of the
narratives arc all provide a structure that suits the fast-paced, action-filled plot of
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? While certainly a work of central
importance to the sciencegenre, Dicks novel also resembles something like a classic detective
story or thriller. The novels main thread, after all, is to follow the story of Decker, a bounty
hunter tasked with tracking down and eliminating six rogue androids. The streamlined narrative
structure of the novel helps readers stay focused on the action and increases its exciting
drama.

At the same time, the narrative of Do Androids Dream of
Electric Sheep? has features which can make it seem hard-to-follow delusional, and
just plain weird €“ all classic hallmarks of Dicks style. The narrative is presented in a
third-person point of view, which in and of itself is not unusual for a novel. The narrators
point of view is limited, however, which means readers dont get all of the information right
away: some things are left as surprises. This goes hand in hand with a novel that has readers
constantly asking themselves questions like: Is this character a human or an android? Is their
pet an animal or a robot?

The secondary plot, which describes Isidores desire
to help androids, also provides an important counterpoint to the story of Deckers attempts to
track down the fugitive androids. In terms of the novels structure, this wavering between seeing
the androids as dangerous and criminal on one hand, and as human-like and worthy of friendship
on the other hand parallels one of the central questions in Do Androids Dream of
Electric Sheep?: What does it mean to be called human?

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