How To Draw A Dancer

'Are we human or are we dancer?' is a hauntingly catchy line from The Killers' hit song 'Human'. The lyrics have sparked a lot of questions among fans. The line is actually a lyric from a song called 'Human' by The Killers, an American rock band. Many have interpreted the line to be a reflection of our struggles in life, trying to figure out if we are just humans, mere mortals navigating our way through life, or dancers, following a choreographed routine, set by society or fate. The line can be seen to carry a philosophical flavor to it. Are we 'human', living our lives as dictated by our real, genuine, and raw emotions, experiencing both highs and lows? Or are we 'dancer', simply going through the motions, doing what’s expected of us, and performing our roles in the dance of life? The dichotomy proposed here is between our genuine human state – with all its disturbances and unruliness – and a more tranquil, passive state of being like a 'dancer', flowing effortlessly through life. Another perspective suggests that these lyrics voice an existential doubt. It questions the nature of our existence, the essence of our being, our purpose, and our place in the universe. 'Are we human?' could be a query of whether we have control over our lives or if we are just 'dancers', surrendering to the churning wheels of fate and fortune, bound by the rhythm of the universe. Many others, including the band's lead singer Brandon Flowers, have said that the lyric refers to a quote by author Hunter S. Thompson, who once said that America was raising 'a generation of dancers.' In this context, the 'dancers' might refer to individuals who are swayed by the current trends, media, and societal norms, instead of showing their unique human traits. This interpretation is quite thought-provoking and relevant in today's society. Regardless of the true meaning, this line has sparked much philosophical debate and has captured the imagination of music lovers worldwide. So, next time you hear 'Are we human, or are we dancer?', maybe take a moment to ponder your own interpretation!

The protagonist of 'The Water Drones' is Hiram Walker, a man born into the brutal system of slavery but gifted with a mysterious power that sets him apart. Hiram isn’t just another escaped slave; his journey is layered with magic, memory, and a relentless pursuit of freedom. His mother was sold away when he was young, leaving him with fragmented memories of her and a lingering sense of loss that shapes his entire existence. What makes Hiram unforgettable is his supernatural ability—Conduction, a power tied to water that allows him to transport himself and others across vast distances. It’s not just a physical gift; it’s deeply connected to his emotional trauma and the unspoken history of his lineage. The way Ta-Nehisi Coates writes him feels like peeling back layers of a wound; raw, poetic, and haunting. Hiram’s story isn’t just about escaping the plantation. It’s about reclaiming identity in a world determined to erase it. He’s sharp, observant, and fiercely intelligent, using his position as a enslaved servant in his white father’s household to gather information while silently plotting his freedom. His relationships are complicated—especially with Sophia, the woman he loves but can’t fully protect, and Corrine, the abolitionist who mentors him but whose motives are murky. The book doesn’t shy away from showing his flaws: his pride, his moments of doubt, the weight of responsibility he carries. But that’s what makes him real. When he finally embraces Conduction fully, it’s not just a power-up; it’s a metaphor for how memory and grief can be harnessed into something transformative. The Underground Railroad in this novel isn’t just a network—it’s a living, breathing thing, and Hiram’s role in it is nothing short of revolutionary.

The ending of 'The Water Dancer' is a powerful culmination of Hiram's journey from bondage to liberation. After mastering his supernatural ability of conduction, which allows him to transport himself and others through water and memory, Hiram leads a daring rescue mission to free his family and other enslaved people. The final act sees him returning to the Lockless plantation, not as a slave, but as a liberator. He uses his gift to guide his loved ones to freedom, symbolizing the reclaiming of his past and identity. The novel closes with Hiram embracing his role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, his story becoming a testament to resilience and the unbreakable spirit of those who fought for freedom. The beauty of the ending lies in its emotional depth and symbolism. Hiram's reconciliation with his fractured memories and his acceptance of his mother's legacy underscore the theme of healing through remembrance. The water dancer motif comes full circle as Hiram transforms his pain into power, literally and metaphorically carrying others to safety. The final scenes are haunting yet hopeful, leaving readers with a sense of unfinished struggle—a reminder that freedom is a continuous journey, not just a destination.

The ending of 'Dancer from the Dance' is both haunting and inevitable, mirroring the ephemeral nature of the lives it portrays. Malone, the charismatic yet self-destructive protagonist, ultimately succumbs to the hedonistic whirlwind of 1970s New York. His tragic demise is foreshadowed throughout the novel, a slow-motion car crash of addiction and unfulfilled longing. The final scenes depict his disappearance, possibly a suicide, leaving Sutherland—the narrator—to ponder their shared past. Sutherland's reflections are tinged with nostalgia and regret, capturing the fleeting beauty of their bond. The novel closes with a sense of unresolved melancholy, as if the dance itself—the relentless pursuit of pleasure and identity—can never truly end. Holleran's prose lingers on the fragility of human connection, making the ending feel less like closure and more like a suspended note in a fading song.

I always start off with a light pencil sketch for the basics, focusing mainly on placements and proportions. From a light bulb shape for the head to straight lines for the orientation of the shoulders, this allows me to build a solid base before diving into the details. Then, I like to add more body features using softer strokes and slowly erase the initial sketch, making necessary corrections along the way. Only then do I start rendering detailed facial expressions and hair, quickly using an eraser or white gel pens for highlights. And finally, for the outfit, I whip up something inspired by my favorite anime characters! Just remember, practice makes perfect. So even if it doesn't come out perfect the first time, keep going!

'The Water Dancer' dives deep into the horrors of slavery, but what sets it apart is how it blends brutal reality with a touch of magical realism. The story follows Hiram Walker, a man born into bondage, who discovers he has a mysterious power called Conduction—a supernatural ability tied to memory and movement. This isn’t just a flashy plot device; it’s a metaphor for the way enslaved people carried their histories and hopes with them, even when physically trapped. The novel doesn’t shy away from showing the everyday violence of slavery—the whippings, the separations of families, the psychological torment—but it also highlights the resilience. Hiram’s journey isn’t just about escaping; it’s about reclaiming his identity, his stolen lineage. The Underground Railroad here isn’t just a network of safe houses; it’s a living, breathing resistance, fueled by courage and coded songs. The book forces you to sit with the weight of memory, how the past isn’t just something to escape but something to confront. What really guts me is how Coates portrays the twisted relationships slavery created. There’s this chilling dynamic between Hiram and his white half-brother, the heir to the plantation. It’s not just about master and slave; it’s about blood ties warped by power. The novel also digs into the complicity of Northerners who benefited from slavery indirectly, showing how the system poisoned everything it touched. And then there’s the water dance—a ritual that becomes a symbol of survival, a way to turn trauma into something beautiful. The magic in the story isn’t escapism; it’s a defiance, a refusal to let slavery define the limits of their humanity. The way Coates writes about the land, too—the Virginia soil soaked with blood and sweat—makes the setting feel like a character, a witness to centuries of suffering. It’s not an easy read, but it’s the kind of story that lingers, like a ghost you can’t shake off.

The significance of water in 'The Water Dancer' is woven into the narrative like a river carving its path through the land. It’s not just a physical element; it’s a symbol of memory, freedom, and the unbreakable ties that bind the characters to their past and future. The protagonist, Hiram, possesses a supernatural connection to water, which becomes a metaphor for the fluidity of time and the depths of forgotten histories. His ability to 'conjure' water and use it as a bridge between realms reflects the way trauma and heritage flow beneath the surface of his identity, waiting to be summoned. Water also represents the perilous journey toward liberation. The novel’s depiction of the Underground Railroad is steeped in the imagery of rivers and crossings, mirroring the real-life risks enslaved people took to reach freedom. The moments when characters wade through water or are baptized in it carry a dual weight—both cleansing and dangerous. It’s a reminder that survival often hinges on navigating the unseen currents of oppression and hope. The way water can both sustain and destroy echoes the paradox of Hiram’s gift: it’s a power that can heal or drown, much like the collective memory of slavery itself. What’s striking is how water blurs the line between the mythical and the tangible. The 'conduction' dances, where water becomes a portal, suggest that liberation isn’t just physical but spiritual. The act of remembering—of carrying the weight of ancestors—is as vital as the act of escaping. The novel doesn’t shy away from showing how water can be a force of erasure, too, like the drowned memories of those lost to the Middle Passage. Yet, it’s also a medium for resurrection, as Hiram learns to harness its power to reclaim stories. This duality makes water the lifeblood of the story, a silent witness to both suffering and transcendence.

In 'Beth's Snow Dancer', the antagonist isn't just a single person but more of a force of nature wrapped in human form. The story introduces us to Elias Frost, a former snow dancer turned rogue after a tragic accident that twisted his love for winter into something dark and vengeful. What makes him terrifying isn't just his mastery over ice magic—though watching him sculpt blizzards like they're clay is chilling—but his obsession with purity. He sees Beth as the last true snow dancer and will stop at nothing to either possess her talent or destroy it. The author paints him with layers; he's not a mindless villain but a broken artist who sees beauty in destruction. His presence looms over every page, turning even the prettiest snowscapes into something sinister. The dynamic between Elias and Beth elevates the conflict. He challenges her not just physically but philosophically, making her question whether tradition is worth preserving if it breeds monsters like him. The way he weaponizes nostalgia, using memories of their shared training to manipulate her, adds psychological depth to their battles. The winter setting becomes a character too, with storms feeling like extensions of his rage. By the climax, you realize the real antagonist might be the unforgiving nature of perfection itself, with Elias as its tragic embodiment.