Robinson's use of names

In Kim Stanley Robinson's "The Ministry for the Future," the names of the two protagonists, Mary Murphy and Frank May, are not just random.

The name "Frank" is associated with transparency, honesty, and forthrightness. In a world suffering from the consequences of climate change and environmental disaster, the choice of Frank as a protagonist's name signifies the need for unfiltered, open dialogue about the issues at hand. In the novel, Frank kidnaps Mary, the head of the Ministry for the Future, and has nothing holding him back from expressing what he feels and thinks. When discussing the global disasters, Frank straight up tells Mary that she is killing people with her lack of action. He is entirely honest and frank with Mary that they are nearing a mass extinction and claims that the best solution would be to assassinate the leading members of the global bureaucracy that are causing climate change. Frank May embodies the call for straight honesty in addressing the challenges that threaten the future of humanity. Frank May, with the simple name of "Frank," emerges as a figure symbolic of transparency and sincerity. In this context, Frank May becomes not only a character but a representative urging discussions on critical issues.

Conversely, Mary Murphy's name introduces a different theme. The name "Mary" historically invokes notions of purity and nurturing, aligning with the character's potential role as a symbol of compassion and maternal care. Within the context of the environmental challenges in this novel, Mary embodies a softer, more empathetic response to the ecological crisis, echoing the need for a nurturing approach towards the planet. In the same situation after being kidnapped by Frank, she defends herself and her Ministry saying she is fighting against climate change by softer means such as lawsuits (Robinson, 99). She claims that she is trying to avoid violence and avoid a mass extinction, talking to Frank in a calmer and softer way. Later in the novel, she visits Frank in prison and almost takes him under her wing to care for him. She takes him for walks and hikes in the mountains. After his brain tumor diagnosis, she cares for him; she acts as a motherly figure to Frank. 

The dynamic between Frank and Mary mirrors the broader themes of the novel. Frank's forthcoming complements Mary's nurturing qualities, establishing a representation of the collaboration of qualities required to address global challenges.