The Plot
With utmost secrecy, the U.S. government has been sending satellites into orbit to scoop up particles from outer space and bring them back to Earth to be studied. This undertaking is known as Project Scoop, and one of its purposes is to see if there are particles in outer space that are unlike anything known on Earth. Retrieval of the satellites poses a problem because no precise method of reentry exists that will bring a satellite to a predetermined landing site. Because landings can occur anywhere in the world, a system has been devised to either recover or destroy satellites, depending on whether they land in friendly or hostile territory.
One night, a satellite is tracked to Piedmont, Arizona, a remote town with a population of forty-eight. The first trackers to get there find dead bodies all over the streets. The trackers hardly have time to react before they, too, are dead. The government has prepared itself for such an emergency by having a Wildfire Alert team on call at all times. This team consists of a group of scientists with credentials in biology, bacteriology, pathology, and surgery. Wearing protective clothing, two members of this team fly to Piedmont, where they find two survivors, a baby and an old man. They also find the satellite and see that it has been pried open.
The satellite and the two survivors are flown to a top secret underground facility in Nevada known as Wildfire. This impregnable complex consists of five levels of research laboratories and is programmed to self-destruct in three minutes should its chambers become contaminated beyond control. One member of the team, Dr. Hall, the only surgeon and the only bachelor, is given the only key that will deactivate the nuclear self-destruct device.
While the scientists of the Wildfire Alert team experiment unsuccessfully with rats and monkeys, news comes that a military plane flying over Piedmont crashed when all of its plastic fittings disintegrated. Piedmont was supposed to have been destroyed by an atomic bomb, but the president held off giving the order. This proves to be fortunate, because the scientists discover that the space organism (now code-named the Andromeda strain) grows fastest when it has a source of energy. They also discover that the organism thrives on carbon dioxide and that people who breathe rapidly, such as the crying baby and Sterno-drinking old man who survived at Piedmont, escape its effects. Soon thereafter, the scientists notice that the organism is mutating. Now, instead of attacking humans, it attacks plastic. This explains the plane crash.
The fittings of Wildfire’s chambers begin to disintegrate, and the automatic self-destruct system is activated. Dr. Hall barely manages to deactivate the system. By this time, the organism has dissipated into the atmosphere, where it continues to mutate into something benign and harmless.
Literary Techniques
Crichton, more than any other popular novelist, is a product of the film era. He describes scenes as if looking through a camera lens. This perspective is familiar to his audience and allows him to blend specific visual and narrative conventions in captivating, acceptable, and effective ways. Consequently, his prose translates seamlessly to the screen.
The most significant aspect of Crichton's style is a realistic tone, giving the impression that the events he describes actually occurred and that he is merely documenting them. He has noted, "I found you could make something more believable if you pretended not that it might happen or was happening, but that it had happened." As a result, technological details and factual accuracy are crucial in his approach. This leads him to create novels where...
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scientific facts and figures are meticulously detailed, while characterization is minimized so it does not overshadow the quantifiable elements of the story. This approach is evident from the start, as shown by the title page, which is designed to resemble the cover of a classified file. Crichton thus establishes the book's tone and hints at its technologically and militarily oriented content.
The day-by-day format heightens tension and emphasizes the realism of the narrative. This sense of authenticity is reinforced by the "Acknowledgments" section and the references at the book's end, both written as though the events actually occurred. The references provide concrete evidence supporting the plausibility of such an event. Additionally, frequent quotations from prominent writers in various fields bolster the author's credibility, as do the numerous detailed descriptions of technology. Including transcripts, interviews, reports, maps, photographs, computer printouts, and technical discussions (such as the "Summary of Odd Man Hypothesis" and the detailed plans for the five sterilization stages at the research center in the "Day 2" section) further enhances the sense of authenticity. Descriptions are spare with adjectives, maintaining a clean, straightforward style that supports the fiction of an objective report of real events, though precise details are occasionally added for effect. For instance, the coldness of Lt. Shawn's metal binoculars in the opening scene feels realistic and helps readers easily identify with the character's situation.
Crichton establishes a realistic tone and builds tension in several ways. By presenting the account as authentic, which he meticulously constructs, the gravity of the problem alone generates tension, as the characters face a situation that could potentially annihilate all life on Earth. The tension here is not derived from interpersonal conflicts or a character's internal struggle, as seen in great works of art. Instead, it arises from the mechanical process of solving a problem and the uncertainty of whether a solution will be found in time. The resulting novel is engaging but does not delve into profound philosophical questions, focusing more on the process than the characters.
The flashback technique, writing as if the events have already occurred, is particularly effective with Crichton's third-person narration. This approach reinforces the factual tone familiar to audiences through documentaries, lending additional credibility to the story. Two other techniques that work well in this context are foreshadowing and parallel plotting. Crichton often heightens tension by mentioning future events. For example, he discusses Lt. Shawn's concerns and then adds, "before his death." Stone's fixation on the buzzards feeding safely in Piedmont is another instance of this technique. Logical explanations provided throughout the narrative, such as Burton's error in not autopsying all exposed animals, are also effective because they are conveyed in the third-person voice.
Parallel plotting allows Crichton to develop multiple thematic and plot lines simultaneously. This technique highlights the theme of scientific collaboration while advancing the plot. A prime example is the introduction of the Wildfire team members. Each member is presented individually, detailing their characteristics and backgrounds to clarify their strengths, weaknesses, and roles within the team. By examining the members separately, Crichton also develops the concept of a scientific community working together. The entire sequence in the research center is developed in this manner.
Ideas for Group Discussions
The Andromeda Strain stands as the quintessential modern technological thriller, paving the way for authors like Tom Clancy, William Gibson, Robin Cook, and numerous others. This makes it an ideal topic for discussion. What are the elements in the novel that resonated so deeply with readers, leading it to sell millions of copies and continue to be popular? Why do these elements resonate with so many people? The novel showcases Crichton's talent for identifying a latent fear within contemporary culture and amplifying it into a full-blown terror. How does he achieve this? Does The Andromeda Strain provide any clues?
The novel is also ripe for discussion due to the aspects of our culture that Crichton selects for its setting, theme, and characterization. It may be notable that Kirke, the Church, is excluded from the new source of faith—science—which performs its wonders independently of him. Escaping the reach of modern technology is nearly impossible—even those with limited means often have radios, and in much of the world, owning a television is no longer a marker of wealth. Yet, the mechanisms of the technological devices that permeate modern life remain largely mysterious to everyone except those with specialized education or training. Even among the educated, much remains enigmatic: A mechanic who repairs a car's electrical system might not understand how an airplane flies, and a computer engineer could be baffled by a washing machine's rinse cycle. Crichton taps into the anxiety people feel when faced with the unknown, and in The Andromeda Strain, he zeroes in on a significant unknown in technology—something that could be right at our doorsteps, fallen from the sky, carried by the wind, or delivered with the mail carrier's unexpected cough.
A productive discussion might start with the everyday fears prevalent in modern life and how Crichton brings those fears to the surface, exposes them, and invites us to join his scientists in their quest to quell them. Such a discussion could then broaden to the novel's broader themes: the value of the scientific method, the pros and cons of the human element in a technological crisis, and whether safety in a technological society lies in understanding and mastering the technology. The conversation could expand further: What fears does Crichton highlight in his novel? How widespread are these fears in our society? What measures can be taken to alleviate these fears, or are they justified?
1. What is Project Scoop? Who is responsible for it? Is it a feasible endeavor within the realm of modern technology?
2. What biases toward life does The Andromeda Strain suggest Americans need to reconsider? Is it possible for Americans to change these biases? Is it desirable?
3. Why do some characters exhibit brilliance most of the time yet occasionally act inexplicably foolish? Who exemplifies this?
4. In what ways is technology limited in The Andromeda Strain? Will these limitations persist regardless of future technological advancements? Is advanced technology always inherently risky?
5. Is Crichton's portrayal of the American military fair and accurate, or is it influenced by the era in which the novel was written?
6. What ethical dilemmas arise throughout the narrative? How do the characters address these issues? Do they recognize them as ethical dilemmas?
7. How does the novel depict the process of scientists solving a problem? What is the detailed, step-by-step procedure shown in the novel? How realistic is this portrayal?
8. How does Crichton make the scientific method both exciting and suspenseful?
9. What types of details does Crichton use to convey the setting's time and place? How effective are these details?
10. What special skills does each Wildfire team member bring to the scientific investigation? Is the rationale for selecting each member sound? How does this mix of skills contribute to the narrative?
11. Some characters are altered in the film adaptation of The Andromeda Strain. What might be the reasons for these changes?
12. While some readers classify The Andromeda Strain as science fiction, others argue it's a thriller disguised as science fiction. What are the characteristics of science fiction? Of modern thrillers? Which traits are typical of The Andromeda Strain?
Literary Precedents
When writing The Andromeda Strain, Crichton drew inspiration from four distinct sources. Firstly, he aimed to follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens and Robert Louis Stevenson by crafting a "good story." Secondly, his favorite writers, Edgar Allan Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, had already given him a solid foundation in mystery writing before he embarked on his own writing journey. Another significant influence came when he read Len Deighton's novel, The Ipcress File (1962; see separate entry), which left a strong impression on him with its tale of a British secret agent.
Moreover, Crichton was an avid admirer of Alfred Hitchcock's films, which is evident in the development of his plot and characters. This admiration, when combined with the atmospheric and science-fiction elements of H. G. Wells's classic The War of the Worlds (1898; see separate entry), formed the fourth major influence on his novel. The types of characters, their situations, the themes, the resulting tensions, and even some techniques seen in these literary and cinematic influences are reflected in The Andromeda Strain.
Adaptations
Ironically, although The Andromeda Strain was clearly penned with a cinematic perspective, its adaptation to film was only somewhat successful. The 1971 movie, directed by Robert Wise and featuring Arthur Hill and David Wayne, is too lengthy to effectively convey the suspenseful ambiance of the original novel.