Science fiction is often about exploring strange new worlds, seeking out new life and new civilization, and all that space jazz. This is sort of the case in Solaris, too; Kelvin goes out to a new strange planet and learns stuff.
The difference is that what Kelvin learns is mostly inside his head. Exploring out there just leads you back where you started, looking at yourself in a mirror—so when humans look out to the stars in Solaris, they're really looking into themselves. You can explore as much as you want, but the eyes that see the distant land, and the brain that processes it, are still your eyes and your brain. Adventure is a cramped and insular thing; the more you travel, the more you're stuck in the same place. Why bother even getting out of bed in the morning? (Yes, Solaris is a cheery book.)
Questions About Exploration
- What do humans learn from exploring Solaris?
- What does Solaris learn in exploring humanity?
- Is exploration in Solaris an external or internal process?
- Is Kelvin's reading part of his exploration of Solaris? Is yours?
Chew on This
The exploration of Solaris the planet is really the exploration of Solaris the book.
The exploration of Solaris the planet is really the exploration of God.