Review of Jerry Was a Man

I haven't read this particular short story yet, but I am a fan of Heinlein's works and this does a worthwhile portrayal of the themes of his works. Set in a future where today's definition of wealthy is their upper middle class(a man of 500 million dollars is luckily to join the upper society), the story exhibits the dangers of making engineered organisms and the folly of the wealthy. Malcolm McDowell, who plays the chief engineer and designer for the scientific-created 'Joes,' goes on an entertaining, though random, rant about the purpose and justification for his work that illuminates the problems with a idle upper class. The key point of the story climaxes where the special Joe, named Jerry, is proved to be human by proving not that he possesses the noble characteristics of man, but the baser elements of humanity, such as lying and cheating. Dr. Hawking's poignant conclusion sums up the main point of good science fiction, and that is to show and warn about the worst parts of mankind.