By now you must have guessed: I come from another planet. But I will never say to you, Take me to your leaders. ...Instead I will say, Take me to your trees. Take me to your breakfasts, your sunsets, your bad dreams, your shoes, your nouns. Take me to your fingers; take me to your deaths.These are worth it. These are what I have come for.
The quote reflects a deep yearning for connection to the essential and ordinary elements of human experience rather than a fascination with authority or power. The speaker, introduced as an extraterrestrial perspective, expresses a desire to understand the richness of life on Earth through its simple yet profound aspects, such as nature, daily rituals, and even personal struggles. This inclination to delve into the human condition highlights the importance of appreciating the beauty found in the mundane.
Margaret Atwood's work, "In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination," emphasizes an exploration of what it means to be human by embracing the intimate details that define our lives. Rather than seeking grand or lofty ideals, the focus on "trees," "sunsets," and "bad dreams" suggests a celebration of the authentic moments that shape our existence. Atwood invites readers to consider the significance of these small experiences, framing them as the core of her exploration in science fiction and humanity's emotional landscape.
