Half Brother

“And suddenly I was angry. It happened to me like that sometimes, a big solar flare of fury inside my head. Dad got his chips. That was typical. Dad always got what he wanted.”

Ben struggles to control his emotions throughout the story. He often internalizes his feelings until he can no longer contain them. In this instance, although Ben directs his anger at the vending machine that will not dispense his candy, he is furious at his father and his feelings of helplessness. This quote highlights the damaged relationship between Ben and his father and illustrates one of Ben's key character traits of impulsive angle when he is not given Communication and Understanding.

“So we need to raise Zan like a human, so he can learn language just like a human would. No cages. No labs. He’s one of us now. He has a crib and clothes and toys. And most important, he has a family. He has a mother and a father—and a big brother, too.”

This quote from Richard highlights the experimental approach of raising Zan, a chimpanzee, in a human family environment to teach him language. Richard's approach raises ethical questions about the boundaries between species and the potential psychological impacts on both Zan and the human family members. It emphasizes the novel's exploration of The Ethics of Animal Experimentation. Likewise, it is essential to note that although Richard states the importance of treating Zan like a human child to others, he will not do so himself.

“He wasn’t allowed to be a chimp. He had to be a human.”

Ben points out one of the major ethical dilemmas in Richard's experiment: expecting a chimp to act like a human. Part of this is a matter of human safety, as Zan cannot bite or nip because that behavior will become increasingly dangerous as he becomes bigger and stronger. However, biting is a critical part of play for chimpanzees and one of the ways they interact with their world. From almost the beginning, the experiment seeks to change Zan's fundamental character, forcing him to suppress his natural instincts to fit human expectations. This quote highlights The Ethics of Animal Experimentation.

“But he’s not human, Ben, all right? We can raise him like a human for the purposes of the study, but he’s still a chimp, and we need to be able to manage him.”

Richard's attitude toward the experiment changes several times throughout the novel. At first, he insists that Ben treat Zan like a little brother, even though Ben does not want to. However, when Richard tries to assert dominance by biting Zan's ear, Ben points out that he would never do this to a human baby. Richard then says they only pretend to treat Zan like a human for the experiment. This moment hints that as the experiment goes on, Zan will be treated less and less like a human. This quote highlights The Ethics of Animal Experimentation.

“He thought I had a bad attitude. He thought I was lazy. He got angry when my report cards came home. I thought I was trying, but I just wasn’t very good at school. I wasn’t good at a lot of things, like controlling my temper. But I was good at loving Zan.”

Richard and Ben struggle to understand each other throughout the book. Ben's academic difficulties, in particular, confuse Richard. Ben's negative self-image shows their communication problems, as Richard loves his son but never says anything nice about him. Likewise, Ben internalizes all the negative comments and never believes the positive ones. This quote highlights a lack of Communication and Understanding.

“I liked running. I felt strong. I felt like I was in control. I couldn’t say the same for French and math and grammar. I didn’t struggle as much as I used to with words and numbers, but it was still an effort.”

Running provides Ben with a sense of independence. Ben experiences various emotions throughout the book, like fear, frustration, anger, and nervousness. Ben feels empowered when he is running. However, Richard tries to control this aspect of Ben's life, too, urging him to prioritize school over joining the cross-country team. Richard's treatment of Ben mirrors how he treats Zan, focusing narrowly on one aspect without considering the bigger picture or the individual's overall well-being.

“I’d got a detention, so what? A detention was a sign you were a scrapper. I was marking out my territory as an alpha male. I felt like I was in control."

As Ben grows up, he wants more freedom and control. He shows this by standing up to his teacher, refusing to read aloud, and ending up in detention. Instead of feeling ashamed, Ben feels proud because he has gained some control over a difficult situation. This event hints at future conflicts with Zan, who will also seek control and attention in ways his caregivers might disapprove of. This quote highlights The Challenges of Growing Up.

“I didn’t think of them as shifts at all. That made it sound like work, and mostly I loved spending time with Zan. It was best when Mom and Dad weren’t around, because they were always watching Zan and taking notes, or wanting me to do educational things with him. To me he wasn’t the subject of an experiment, or a famous chimp; he was just my little brother and we were goofing around.”

Ben struggles to separate his emotions toward Zan. Instead of an experiment, he sees Zan as his little brother, and they have fun together. Ben's words show how much he cares for Zan without considering the scientific effects. However, this quote also illustrates The Ethics of Animal Experimentation, as this growing bond will only hurt both Zan and Ben at the end of the experiment. This tension highlights The Challenges of Growing Up as it intersects with The Ethics of Animal Experimentation.

“Zan wasn’t even a year old and Dad wanted him to sit at a table for a whole hour? But I shouldn’t have been surprised. Zan wasn’t allowed to just be Zan. He needed to produce data.”

Ben gets increasingly annoyed with the disconnect between Richard's words and actions concerning Zan. Richard tells Ben to treat Zan like a brother, and Ben does. However, Richard stops making Zan's welfare a priority to collect more irrefutable data. This is the first time Ben notices that scientific proof is more important to the project than Zan. This quote highlights The Ethics of Animal Experimentation.

1.  “‘Zan’s not the problem,’ said Mom. You’ve got to be more involved.’

‘I don’t ‘have time. Anyway, I’m not an animal person, you know that.’

‘Zan thinks he’s human.’

‘We talked about this at the outset,’ Dad said. ‘We talked about the risks of getting sentimental about the subject.’

‘Sentimental,’ said Mom disdainfully. ‘Is every kind of emotion sentimental for you?’

‘We knew it would interfere with the experiment,’ Dad persisted.

Mom snorted. ‘I don’t think that was ever a risk for you, Richard. But, yes, it’s a risk for me, and it’s certainly a risk for Ben.’

‘Ben will adjust,’ Dad said.”

Sarah's frustration with Richard in Project Zan sparks her character development. She consistently voices her concerns to Richard, especially regarding Ben's increasing attachment to Zan. This quote sheds light on Sarah's ethical dilemmas and worries about the experiment's emotional impact on herself, Zan, and Ben. Additionally, it highlights Richard's emotional limitations, suggesting they may contribute to the experiment's shortcomings. The quote underscores the significant communication gap between Richard and Ben, with Richard downplaying Ben's emotions.

“Zan belongs to science. And for our experiment to proceed, we need results. I have no time for the sentimentality of animal activism, but if this is a question of conscience for you, I respect that, and you can resign from the project at any time.”

Richard chooses research assistants who share his temperament, pushing away those who do not conform, like Peter. His behavior resembles the dominance shown by Helson's alpha male chimp, Zeus, though Richard's dominance is through harsh words rather than physical aggression. This quote also shows The Ethics of Animal Experimentation, where several researchers ignore Zan's well-being in pursuing scientific progress.

“So you had to be human to be a person. It didn’t seem fair. I tried to think of what made someone a person, the unique things. And it seemed like Zan had all of them. He had a distinct personality. He had favorite toys and games and food and drinks. He liked to play. Sometimes he liked to learn. He had friends. He had a family. He loved me and Mom and Peter. And he could talk to us, or was starting to, anyway. Day by day he could name more of the things around him, and tell us what he wanted—and even what he was thinking about. Like the birds in the backyard: listen. Weren’t these the same kinds of things that made me a person? How was I any different?”

Ben wrestles with the notion of personhood, questioning whether human status alone should determine qualification. He contemplates Zan's traits, including personality, preferences, relationships, and developing communication abilities, which he deems crucial for personhood. Ben's reflection challenges traditional definitions, suggesting that personhood extends beyond species boundaries and emphasizing his deep connection with Zan. This quote presents the idea of personhood and the rights entitled to non-human individuals.

“But it’s not like the chimps had a choice. Ham and Enos didn’t have a way to say yes or no. Zan does. And maybe when he says no, we should listen. Otherwise it’s a kind of slavery.”

Unlike Richard, who lectures, Peter talks with Ben about his viewpoints. They discuss the ethical problems of making Zan do things when he communicates that he does not want to. They also talk about the terrible experiments that chimps have gone through, making Ben reconsider his beliefs about animal testing. Their relationship captures the harmony of Communication and Understanding.

“‘This is incredible,’ said Mom. ‘Chimps in the wild start doing this around one year old. Zan’s never seen a nest. No one’s taught him to do this. But he does it, anyway.’

‘How, though?’ I said.

‘It must be genetic,’ said Mom. ‘It’s all there in his brain. No matter how hard we try to raise him as human, he knows he’s a chimp.’ It made me happy, to think that there were parts of Zan we couldn’t touch. I took lots of pictures for Mom. She said Dad wouldn’t be interested, but for her own research—studying the difference between chimp and human behavior and development—this was important data.”

Despite the Tomlins' attempts to raise Zan as a human, he still retains his chimpanzee instincts. Some aspects of his nature persist despite the efforts to train him otherwise. This quote prompts readers to reconsider the ethics of Project Zan, as it emphasizes Zan's inherent chimpanzee traits. Additionally, it underscores the challenges Sarah and Ben face in communicating with Richard, who they anticipate will show little interest in this aspect of Zan's behavior.

“Then he sat down on top of me and patted me a lot. He knew how I felt. Sometimes brothers didn’t need to say anything.”

Communication and Understanding extend beyond verbal language. Zan's ability to sense Ben's emotions and offer comfort without words highlights his capacity for empathy and connection. This moment emphasizes Zan's humanity, prompting further reflection on the ethics of his involvement in the experiment. Moreover, it underscores the special bond shared between Ben and Zan, transcending conventional forms of communication.

“I turned around and headed back to the stairwell, planning to go downstairs and buy a chocolate bar from the vending machine. Maybe it would fall on me and crush me and end my misery.”

Ben's reactions to vending machines reveal his intense emotional responses. While previously triggering his anger, the vending machine now catalyzes Ben's deep despair. This moment marks a significant shift as Ben openly expresses his feelings of hopelessness for the first time.

“‘How smart does he have to be before you love him?’ There was a silence and I saw Mom look away. I thought her eyes were filled with tears. ‘This,’ said Dad calmly, ‘is not about love, Ben. It was never meant to be. I’m not punishing Zan, I’m just saying he’s not learning language, and likely never will.’”

Ben and Richard are talking past each other in this scene, showing a lack of Communication and Understanding. Ben raises a meaningful question about how intelligent Zan must be so that Richard can love him, hinting at Ben's insecurities. Sarah's tears suggest she grasps Ben's underlying concern, but Richard misses the point, focusing solely on Zan. This moment underscores the difference between mere communication and true understanding, as neither Ben nor Richard fully comprehends the deeper emotions at play.

“‘You wanted us to be a family. No one ever asked what I thought about this. Not at the beginning and not now. I say he stays.’

‘It’s not up to you.’

‘He thinks he’s one of us. You promised him.’”

Once more, Richard and Ben clash over their moral and ethical obligations toward Zan. This highlights the disparity between Communication and Understanding, with Ben expressing himself more clearly than Richard. Richard's emphasis on control leads him to dismiss Ben's concerns, refusing to acknowledge the ethical implications Ben raises.

“‘You’re shutting down Project Zan because it’s more work than you imagined. Admit it. And I’m not talking about intellectual or even physical work. Emotional work. Zan wants relationships with us. He wants parents. He wants love. So what do you do? You walk away. If something’s not the way you want, you just walk away.’

‘This is absurd,’ Dad said. ‘You’re talking about Zan like he’s a human.’

‘I’m also talking about your own son.’

There was an awful silence. Then Dad said, ‘How many times do we have to have this discussion?’

‘Richard, you didn’t even want your own child,’ Mom said.”

Sarah confronts Richard about his decision to terminate Project Zan, accusing him of abandoning the project because it requires emotional investment. She emphasizes Zan's desire for relationships and love, highlighting their ethical responsibility toward him. Richard dismisses Sarah's concerns, insisting that Zan is not human. However, Sarah's response draws attention to Richard's neglect of both Zan and Ben, revealing deeper issues within their family dynamics. At the same time, Ben eavesdrops on this conversation, deepening the rift between him and his father.

“I didn’t take to my dad all the way to the airport or on the way home. I wasn’t going to talk to him for the rest of my life. He’d just left my little brother in a cage.”

When communication repeatedly fails to foster understanding, Ben abandons attempts to communicate with Richard altogether. Instead, he resorts to internalizing his emotions, overwhelmed by grief and anger over Zan's predicament. This quote further raises concerns over The Ethics of Animal Experimentation, highlighting the lack of empathy for Zan's transition into a new environment, symbolized by his confinement in a nearly empty cage.

“I thought: She likes me so much, I could control her. I could make her do anything I want. For a crazy moment I thought I was going to cry, because I knew you couldn’t really control anyone or anything. You couldn’t make people like you or love you, no matter how hard you tried to please them, no matter how much you wanted it. And sometimes, the people who did love you got taken away, and there was nothing you could do about that either.”

This marks a crucial turning point in Ben's journey of self-discovery. Like his father, Ben yearns for control over his life. Throughout the novel, he strives to grasp this control by any means possible. However, at this moment, Ben realizes that control is an illusion. While this realization saddens him, it also signifies an essential aspect of his growth.

“Mom said, ‘Maybe you should worry less about your career and more about your family—because that’s going to be in serious trouble, too, if you don’t do the right thing.’ I’d never seen Mom look so seriously, and so coldly, at Dad. It was riveting, and terrifying, too, because it was the kind of look one chimp gave another. It meant: Only one of us is going to win this, and it’s going to be me.

‘The right thing?’ said Dad, with a frustrated laugh. ‘And what exactly would that be, Sarah?’

‘He’s an animal, you’re right,’ said Mom. ‘And we use them all the time. We eat them. We inject them. We kill them. Zan’s not human. But we taught him he was. We raised him like a child. Our child. And we have responsibilities to him now, Richard. We do. We can’t just abandon him to the Thurston Foundation.’ Her voice was hoarse. ‘It is wrong.’”

This pivotal moment underscores Sarah's insistence that Richard reassess his priorities. Throughout the story, Richard prioritizes science and reputation, but this is where he changes his attitude. Sarah's stance reflects her solid ethical stance, recognizing their moral obligation to Zan. This quote, in particular, highlights the moral responsibility that science owes to animals in their care and The Ethics of Animal Experimentation.

“Dad looked at me then. He really looked at me, and for a long time. Then he nodded. ‘Okay, Ben. Okay.’ I did something I hadn’t done for ages. I hugged my father. ‘I’m sorry, he said. ‘I truly didn’t want you to get hurt like this.’ ‘It’s okay,’ I replied. We patted each other on the back. I thought I felt his shoulders tremble, but probably it was just me.”

Though Richard sometimes appears indifferent, this quote marks a significant shift in his connection with Ben. It shows that Richard genuinely cares about Ben's well-being but has trouble showing it. In this moment, Richard prioritizes family over personal concerns, risking his reputation and finances for their sake. Similarly, Ben begins to let go of his bitterness and extends forgiveness to his father, leading to a newfound understanding between them, a pivotal moment in the story.