I would say that the most compelling piece found in “the house of the Scorpion” by Nancy Farmer would be the theme of replicating human life/characteristics. This means that the authors in most of the science fiction works that we’ve examined so far have had a protagonist or MC in the story attempt to create or being involved in the creating of something that closely resembles human. The only difference that Farmer deviates on this theme is the fact that compared to other science fiction stories; her concept of a human clone is the closest to a human replication in external appearance. In pg. 57 it was stated that “El Patron said these foods were his favorites, and Matt decided they were his favorites too.” evokes more than a clone’s basic response, but more deeply a sense of connection like a father and son would have. Since it is common knowledge that sons attempt to accept what their parents like or dislike in the same manner which shows how closely Matt is aligned with humans, or more precisely El Patron (the original). There is another scene that is mentioned earlier in the chapters and briefly described that Mat is aware that he is no different from other humans when people see him. In pg.91 it briefly explains Matt’s drive to learn to make everyone forget that he was a clone by excelling at knowledge.
This human replication of life and characteristics is found in Frankenstein, where Victor Frankenstein attempts to replicate human life which brings forth Frankenstein’s monster. Nueromancer & Portal replicated human characteristics by bringing forth the AI known as Winters & GLADOS. Blade runner was possibly the closest in external appearance by introducing the Replicants, but their emotions and awkward actions such as superhuman strength and reflexes betrayed them from being mere humans. Lilith’s brood also briefly introduced a human environment and half breeds that were closely related to replicating both human life and characteristics.
One more interesting concept to mention would be the references of mythological creatures that many science fiction 
works introduce are also subtly placed in the house of the Scorpion. The La Llorona and Chupacabras are mentioned by Matt as hideous monsters hiding in the night, but Matt’s bodyguard Tam Lin is based on a Mythological hero in Scottish lore that became a legendary fairy knight after being captured by the fairy queen. It is quite befitting for his role since he is Matt’s protector, not to mention that El Patron stated his bodyguards are recruited from other countries, mentioning that Tam Lin was picked up from Scotland.(Tam Lin Concept Art from Shin Megami Tensei)
