David

Outer characterization

In Brian Aldiss' “Supertoys Last All Summer Long”, it is suggested in the first part of the story that David is the three-year-old son of Monica and Henry Swinton. He is described as having a “dark head” (ll. 16), and he wears shoes and socks (l. 15). However, it is later revealed that David is a synthetic being probably designed to resemble and mimic a human. 

Inner characterization 

David’s actions – such as jumping in the pool (l. 12), writing letters to his mother (ll. 81-82), and hiding from her (ll. 128-130) – initially suggest that he is very similar to a human boy. They also reveal that he seems to have feelings, which indicates that he is a very advanced type of synthetic being. However, his feelings seem to be focused on his mother – expressing his love for her, receiving her love – which could suggest that David was programmed to do so to imitate a human child. 

Sadly, because Monica is not able to return his love for her, David feels rejected. Her coldness also seems to intimidate him, as he tries to write her letters, but he never finishes them or gives them to her. As Monica discovers, David has been writi...