Essay Questions

How does the author convey the concept of environmental limitation in the novel An Immense World?

The author uses the imagery of the enclosed bubble to depict the sense of sight and express the idea of environmental limitations. Throughout the novel, the author describes the sounds of different creatures, surfaces, scents, ambiances, tastes, preferences, and magnetic fields. However, only humans can perceive all these elements. In contrast, animals can only perceive a petite portion of reality's fullness. Every animal's unique enclosed sensory bubble enables it to perceive the world differently.

What differentiates human beings and animals, such as dogs?

The primary difference between humans and dogs is the number of cones each possesses. The author describes human beings as trichromats implying that they possess three different cones in their eyes that can detect specific wavelengths of light. In other words, humans can differentiate colors. On the other hand, dogs have only two cones, meaning they cannot differentiate colors. For instance, animals can only see shades of grey, yellow, and blue colors. The author also emphasizes that colorblind people lack one cone, which makes them fail to differentiate colors.

Why is the author depicting the beauty of nature as one of the main themes in the novel?

One of Yong's main themes in the novel is the beauty of nature. God created all living things with different abilities, powers, and influence. Above all, God deemed it significant to give humans the highest level of intelligence to see everything and control other animals. For instance, humans have only three cones in their eyes, but they can see everything and differentiate colors, unlike most animals with several cones in their eyes. Interestingly, every organism perceives the world uniquely. In addition, the author's description of the dolphins and bats' unique way of surviving shows the beauty of creation. For instance, bats are good sound detectors, and they use this unique trait to snatch flying insects while foraging.