# Plague of Pythons — Themes

> Major themes in Plague of Pythons by Frederik Pohl.

## Possession and Loss of Autonomy

The central premise of the book is the loss of individual free will through demonic possession, where characters are forced to commit horrific acts against their will, exploring the terror of being a puppet in one's own body.

## Justice and Scapegoating

The legal system is perverted by the chaos of possession, as seen in Chandler's trial where he is punished for acts he did not control, while the truly guilty (the possessed) go free, highlighting the need for scapegoats in a broken society.

## Power and Corruption

The 'execs' who control the possessed wield absolute power, which corrupts absolutely, as they indulge in sadistic games, worship, and destruction, suggesting that power itself is a destructive force regardless of who holds it.

## Resistance and Community

Groups like the Orphalese and the Society of Slaves form to resist the execs, using philosophy, sabotage, and mutual support, demonstrating how fragile communities can form in the face of overwhelming oppression.

## Identity and Guilt

The book questions personal identity and moral responsibility when actions are not one's own, as characters grapple with guilt for crimes committed while possessed, and the Orphalese philosophy argues that everyone shares collective guilt.

## Dehumanization and Survival

Chandler's journey from a condemned man to a pampered 'male geisha' to a mass murderer illustrates how survival under tyranny forces dehumanization, reducing people to tools, pets, or killers.

## Technology and Control

The execs use advanced technology (coronets, microwave transmitters) to control humanity, and the plot hinges on building a duplicate machine, showing how technology can be both a tool of enslavement and a potential means of liberation.

## The Nature of Evil

Evil is portrayed as both external (the possessing 'flame spirits') and internal (human capacity for violence), with characters like Rosalie Pan arguing that the execs are 'gods' bringing order, blurring the line between good and evil.

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