Triffids

Triffids are plants that suddenly, simultaneously, and mysteriously appear all over the world. They are initially regarded as exotic but harmless, strangely mobile, an excellent source of nutrition and occasionally dangerous (in particular, the slashing poisonous stingers in their topmost parts). For the most part, however, and even after the epidemic of blindness strikes, they are perceived as being nothing to worry much about. Eventually, however, they reveal themselves to be predatory, apparently intelligent, and active in their pursuit of control over the land and its people. Meanwhile, because their acceptance into society, their infiltration of it and eventual attacks upon it all take place while society is, in effect, preoccupied with other things, the triffids can be seen as metaphorical externalizations of humanity's capacity for shallow, unconsidered lives. For further consideration of this aspect of the narrative, see "Chapter 15 - Analysis" and "Style - Structure."

Satellites