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.
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