Reflections

I've spoken about the ide of using mirroring and opposites to help create characters as well as conflict already. I'm now going to chat about something I've observed reading the Murderbot series. I'll try not to give away any spoilers; anything revealed should be on the back cover.

First of all, I agree with Ann Leckie, I love Murderbot. The stories are shortish, although as an ebook I'm not sure if it's a novella or novel. Regardless, the stories are tight. The protagonist is a robot designed to protect humans. It's part biological which provides most or all of its emotional responses. It's personality may or may not be unique to others of its type. Regardless, it's shy and introverted. Introverted in the original definition - it recovers through being alone. Specifically, watching soaps.

In the three books published it follows it's main duty but out of choice, probably. In each story, it works or interacts with others. In the last two books, two specific characters that help to reveal it's own self. I'll have a go at showing some reflections. Some of these revealed traits are revealed in other ways and I'm sure I've missed several refelctions.

Book	Partner	Partner’s Traits	Murderbot’s traits further defined
All Systems Red	Mensah	Human, caring, thoughtful	Murderbot accepts that showing emotions (face) can be useful.
Artificial Condition	ART	Highly intelligent, aggressive, fast, doesn’t understand human emotions	Murderbot’s ability to emphasise.
Rogue Protocol	Miki	Pet like, protective	Murderbot’s wish to be autonomous further emphasised. Murderbot still protective but not blindly.

If you enjoyed the interaction between Murderbot and ART, I'd suggerst reading The Tea Master and The Detective by Aliette de Bodard.