William Johnke
Mrs. Hayse
1A AP Lit.
15 April 2025
In Children of Men, P.D. James has developed a dystopian world in which human beings are no longer able to have children, and the world is falling apart around them. Through all this destruction and upheaval, Julian, one woman who ever so wonderfully becomes pregnant, continues to believe that human beings and life are worth saving. While the world beyond is cruel and desolate, she is committed to believing that the future can be made better. James depicts how hope kept alive can spur change and give reasons for individuals to live on with the idealism of Julian.
Julian's hope can be seen in the choices she makes, such as trusting Theo, a man who has lost all hope, to take her to safety. Her trusting him rejuvenates him emotionally and ethically. Coming from ruined cities, fleeing the ill intentions of others who are exploiting individuals around them to gain power, Julian's actions put them at risk but end up awakening Theo's best self. These situations show that even though idealism can be dangerous, it has the potential to make people evolve and select wiser choices even when nothing is possible.
The baby itself symbolizes Julian's idealism too. First look, and it is representative of new life in a world ready to go to hell. On closer examination, it is representative of hope, optimism towards the future, and the potential of man to start anew. The fact that the baby has to be covered up and hidden already suggests that hope isn't something simple, it has to be fought for. In this symbol, James portrays the theme that hope can prevail despite everything. The baby relates to the overall message of the book because it reminds the characters, and the readers, that there is something better if people will fight to keep it.
Finally, Julian's idealism is what makes a change in Theo possible and gives their fight meaning. Even in a death-filled world and a world of fear, her belief in life and goodness forces others to care and act. P.D. James uses Julian to show that idealism is not wishful thinking, idealism is what gives people the strength to go on when everything else has been taken away.