Blog 6

Blog 6 02-23-2010

Connections Between Frankenstein and R.U.R.

I would like to first note that both stories include someone trying to mess with the natural order of things, namely trying to “improve” mankind. Victor Frankenstein, out of curiosity and out of his desire to “better” mankind, used his knowledge from his studies to build a human of his own. Rossum’s Universal Robot’s manufacturing company sets out to create a perfect “human” being that will relieve humans from the pains of labor and create a “paradise on earth.” I note this first because the themes of improving mankind from both stories stood out and were very similar to each other.

Another similarity would be that the creature from Frankenstein and the Robots from R.U.R. developed into human beings. The creature grew into a being that has matured from not knowing how to communicate his thoughts and feelings to one who could eloquently give reasons for his point of view. This is what makes him human: to be able to communicate thoughts and feelings through words and actions, to have a conscience that gives him the ability to reason out choices. The Robots, through the persuasion of Helena Glory’s desire for them to be treated like normal human beings and Dr. Gall’s implementation of “feelings,” developed the power to think for themselves. This makes them more human, having opinions, on top of looking exactly like one with the exception of super strength and super memory/learning ability.

However, the Robot’s ability to make sensible decisions is not as superior as the creature’s. The creature, although hurt and emotionally abused by society, reasoned with Victor to convince him to make a companion to him happy, and gave Victor consequences if he refuses. The Robots just thought of themselves as superior, and because they read it in the books, they conquered the humans just so they could become accepted as humans themselves. Since the Robots knew that they would die out someday, they demanded that Alquist, the last human being, spill the secret of their reproduction, although it was gone for good. They kept demanding no matter how many times Alquist said they needed humans to reproduce. Not so sensible, those Robots. They acted upon rationality, in that it is in their best interest to do reproduce so that they can last longer.

At the end of R.U.R., Robot Helena and Robot Primus seem to have been flirting with each other for some time. They expressed feelings of joy, laughter, happiness, and even love for one another when they were faced with Alquist’s request for someone to dissect (this meant certain death to a robot). Both Robots offered themselves to be dissected in each other’s place, but concluded with Primus saying that Alquist cannot take either of them. This demonstrates the ability to care, one ability of which Robots cannot comprehend. With the creature, he demonstrates his ability to care by feeling guilty that he has been stealing food from the cottagers and follows up on it by cutting logs for them and not stealing anymore.

Other similarities: Adam and Eve, punishment, (isolation? VF: studies, RUR: island).