A Cage Of Butterflies Character Analysis

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In the novel, ‘A Cage of Butterflies’, Caswell explores the dangers of scientific research driven by personal gains rather than for the good of humanity. The author reflects this through the characterisation of the antagonist Larsen, who was originally not driven by his own interests. However, Caswell shows that upon the discovery of the Babies, he is seen to be blinded by his personal pursuits seeking wealth and fame, and is seen to dehumanise the Babies for the purpose of his research. Caswell suggests that the human value of self-direction can be seen to be stolen through the selfish pursuits of those in power, corrupting scientific research through the use of dialogue. For example, in chapter XXX, Larsen is seen to state that, “This is