Characterization: Deckard and Rachael

As written in the article, ” ‘Blade Runner’: Science Fiction and Transcendence,” Deckard and Rachael’s character arch end much in the same way that Adam and Eve’s character arch do at the end of “Paradise Lost” (pp. 178). After Deckard has spent the entire movie “retiring” the replicants he was assigned to “retire,” he goes back to Rachael with a new understanding of the world in which he lives. Much like–finally–having the knowledge of good and evil in “Paradise Lost,” Deckard understands the ambiguities of the replicant-human dichotomy. He understands that, ultimately, his love for Rachael is very human, even if she (or even, he) is a replicant. In a similar way that Satan seduces Eve to eat of the fruit, thus challenging and enhancing her understanding of the world, Deckard’s views of the world have also irreversibly changed (thanks to Batty’s benevolent rebellion), thus making him unable to live in his society. The final act of Rachael and Deckard is one of rebellion, as well. In book 9 lines 896-916 Adam justifies his rebellion to his love of Eve, “Certain my resolution is to die. / How can I live without thee… Bone of my bone thou art, and from they state / Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe.” Deckard’s love of Rachael and realization that replicants are capable of empathy and humanity in combination allow him to rebel by running away with Rachael in the end of “Blade Runner.” Though they may be alienated from a society too ignorant to accept their love, at least they can go into an uncertain future. If Adam be damned, at least Eve will be there with him.