Mirrors of the Future: Ethical and Societal Reflections in Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun (2021) and Dave Eggers's The Every (2021)

Abstract

This article examines Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun and Dave Eggers's The Every, analyzing how both authors investigate the human experience amidst rapid technological progress. Set in dystopian futures where AI profoundly influences everyday life, these novels explore how artificial intelligence intersects with human emotions, relationships, and autonomy. Ishiguro focuses on Klara, an artificial friend that mirrors human feelings, while Eggers presents a society in which the Every's algorithmic systems control extensive information. Both authors use introspective narratives to reveal the unsettling effects of technology on human identity and connections. Through their literary techniques and character development, they highlight the blurred lines between human and machine, raising questions about consciousness and empathy. Applying a posthumanist framework provides insight into these themes, revealing how these works critique the consequences of technological advancements on human subjectivity, privacy, and ethical boundaries, offering a profound commentary on modern digital challenges.