Open Access
American Research Journal of English and Literature
ISSN (Online): 2378-9026
DOI: 10.46568/arjel
An Interpretation of the Identity Crisis of Human Clones in the Play A Number
Abstract
After the birth of cloned sheep Dolly in 1997, cloning technology, especially human cloning, has become a controversial
topic since the end of the last century. It has brought infinite impact to both natural science and human science in
the world. Although up to now, there has not been a successful attempt at human cloning, people have never stopped
worrying about this issue. Drama and science fiction frequently address this subject. The most important contemporary
British female dramatist, Caryl Churchill, tells of alternative father-son relationships in the age of cloning and exposes the
identity crisis of human clones in her play A Number. In this paper, the identity paradox, value inquiry, and subjectivity
of clones are interpreted separately to feel the identity crisis of clones and to experience Churchill’s thoughts on the
technological advances on the identity of clones and the relationship between clones and human beings.
