Frankenstein v. RUR

Both Frankenstein and R.U.R. have an underlying element of technology. In Shelley’s novel, we as readers see the effects that the creation of Victor’s monster has had on him and on his family. By using this technological advancements to create an almost super human type being, he is isolating himself from the world. Similarly, in Capek’s play, the creation of the robots is causing not just the demise of the creators, but rather the entire human race as a population; contrary to Victor Frankenstein, these creator’s seem to be somewhat thriving (to an extent) until the robots take over every job.

Reproduction is also talked about in both novels. In Shelley’s novel, Victor is unsure of what havoc the creation of a female monster will bring as he does not know exactly what the personality will end up being. He is scared that they will reproduce, and since they have uncanny strength, kill off humans. In R.U.R., the humans stop reproducing and become somewhat sterile because the robots have been so mass produced the humans don’t even feed themselves anymore, instead the robots do everything. With the surplus of labor, humans simply have to sit back, relax, and watch the robots go to work.

Together, these stories tell how technology can lead to destruction in many different ways. Whether it is because of the effect it has on an individual or on the entire human race. Technology is satisfactory to an extent, and then it is too much. The fine line between the two, however, is often hard to see.

Frankenstein Essay

For my essay, I plan to talk about how technology and destruction seem to go hand in hand with one another. Victor Frankenstein has been away from his family for a very long time, and when he receives notice from his father that his brother has died, he returns home. On page 56, Victor realizes that his own creation has killed his brother. “A flash of lightning illuminated the object, and discovered it shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instant informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy daemon to whom I had given life…He was the murdered!” This is important because it serves has the first time he has seen his creation since it was made and it is a realization that he has done evil.

Next, when the monster is telling his story to Victor, he recalls how emotionally hurt he has become by not being able to be accepted by society. He tells of the girl who fell into the stream and how he “rushed from [his] hiding place…and dragged her to shore” (115) only to be put at gun point by what seemed to be her husband. He then sought revenge on the next human he came across, a little boy, whom he attempted to “seize and educate him as [his] companion and friend” (117) only to be called a “hideous monster.” He then “grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment, he lay dead” at the monster’s feet.

Finally, I would also like to examine what happens to Elizabeth as a result of Victor’s creation. Although he attempts to create a female for the monster, he ends up destroying her for fear that she would not keep the same promise that his original creation did. (142). And, the monster warns, “I shall be with you on your wedding night” (140). The death of Elizabeth is played out on pages 164-166.

These are all similar pieces of evidence in that we see the technology Victor used to create this monster ends up causing him pain as loved ones are killed as well as innocent stand-byers. As the story progresses, each time the monster does damage, more and more grief is felt by victor.