We're Not from Here

We’re Not From Here never assigns Lan a specific gender identity, and their race and ethnicity are at most hinted at via the family’s names and surnames. The decision was intentional on Rodkey’s part: Without defining markers of appearance or identity, Lan becomes an “every person,” a neutral version of the “everyman.” The latter term dates as far back as the 1500s and describes a fictional character meant to be universally relatable—that is, to represent human nature itself. With a neutral name and no appearance descriptors, Lan could be anyone, and readers may view the story through whatever lens they themselves have or through one they wish to apply. Rodkey also chose not to identify Lan because Lan’s identity doesn’t matter to the story. The inhabitants of Choom know nothing of Earth’s various identities, and whatever Earth identity Lan had is no longer important. Lan is simply hated for being human rather than for a specific human identity, which makes We’re Not From Here universally understandable to readers.

The earliest “everymen” were allegorical figures meant to symbolize humanity itself, but as time went on, the term also came to describe an “ordinary” character—i.e., one without the elevated status of the characters that dominate, for instance, Classical literature. Unlike a heroic protagonist, the everyman does not typically jump to action the first moment conflict arises. Rather, the everyman has traditionally taken a more laid-back approach, waiting until action is necessary to avert disaster. As an “every person,” Lan doesn’t take assertive action right away, choosing instead to try and fit in with the Zhuri and let a lack of violence speak for itself. When the Zhuri threat becomes too great, Lan steps up, creating comedy and music to save the human race.