Blog Post #5: Angel

Underestimating the Capabilties of Matt and Vincent. 

In the plot of Gattaca and the House of the Scorpion, both stories are taken place in a futuristic time setting with the concept of genetic modification. Matt and Vincent share many differences and similarities. Being underestimated is something shared between these two main characters. Born naturally or through livestock, either way both characters are underestimated solely for the fact of being different.

When Matt grows up in the Alacran estate, he lives with the title of being useless. He is mistreated and hated upon, simply for being a clone. Matt tries to excel in anything possible. When being home schooled, he attempts to go above and beyond, but unfortunately he is just as good as everyone else. He isn’t worse, nor is he better; his learning ability is recognized equal to others. In Gattaca, Vincent is a naturally born baby. Unfortunately, naturally born is no longer the process that occurs in this society. Furthermore, humans are now created in petri dishes ensuring they are given the perfect characteristics, and have everything a ‘perfect’ human can be. Because Vincent is a naturally born baby, his chances of achieving his goals are much more difficult than the rest of the humans who are genetically modified to be perfect. Vincent is angry about the fact that he is unable to go to space because he was naturally born. He decides to change his identity in order to fulfill his dreams. He scrubs his body down everyday, and uses another human’s urine and blood samples to achieve what he wants in life. 

Both these characters have such giant issues to overcome in their life. Matt just wants to grow up without being killed for his organs; he would love to live a life just like any other kid. Vincent wants his dream of going to space to be true. Many people in this novel underestimate the capabilities of these two characters. In fact, they are quite sure that Matt and Vincent will never achieve their dreams. Through lots of hard work, both Vincent and Matt eventually achieve their dreams in some way, even if it isn’t exactly legal. Vincent pretending to be another to achieve his dream of going to space; as well as Matt running off for an new life before he gets mistreated by the Alacran estate.

There were many obstacles that these characters had to get past, they were forced to be strong. But with courage, and confidence these characters were able to accomplish the goals they had been holding onto for what seemed like eternity. Props to Matt and Vincent for accomplishing the goals they set out to achieve.