Literary Analysis: E.M. Forster's "The Machine Stops"
Mini Analysis #1
Religion, by definition, is a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects. Usually, the presence of religion in one’s life is beneficial; it brings a more positive outlook on life, and motivates people to life their lives in a more proper manner that helps them avoid sinful or harmful decisions in life. In every religion throughout the world, there is a leader or higher power that is worshipped or praised. There is usually a minister or some type of director of these religions that guide the ‘followers’ of that religion that helps them life their life in a fashion that pleases their deity. However, being too dependent or obedient to your religious leader can hinder creativity and independence, thus resulting in resentment and rebellion towards said leader or the religion itself. In E.M. Forester’s short story, “ The Machine Stops” we see a society living solely through the rein of a machine. Everything that the people say, do, think, etc. is controlled by the all-powerful Machine. The main character, Vashti, is so in favor of and faithful to the Machine that she neglects her own son simply because the Machine tells her that she must. On multiple occasions, she is known to show her allegiance and devotion to the Machine by coming to its defense by saying things like, “You mustn’t say anything against the Machine” (Forster pg. 2). This shows the reader that she is over endowed to the Machine and has irrevocable faith in its commands as well as how dominant the Machine is in her life. As mentioned before, too much obedience to your leader can have catastrophic effects that often lead to both minor and severe acts of revolution. The most extreme example of this would be the ‘family’ of Charles Manson. This was a religious cult peaking in the late 1960’s, known for ‘helter skelter’ and mass suicides. Psychotic leader Manson was like the dictating Machine in several ways. He had
Religion, by definition, is a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects. Usually, the presence of religion in one’s life is beneficial; it brings a more positive outlook on life, and motivates people to life their lives in a more proper manner that helps them avoid sinful or harmful decisions in life. In every religion throughout the world, there is a leader or higher power that is worshipped or praised. There is usually a minister or some type of director of these religions that guide the ‘followers’ of that religion that helps them life their life in a fashion that pleases their deity. However, being too dependent or obedient to your religious leader can hinder creativity and independence, thus resulting in resentment and rebellion towards said leader or the religion itself. In E.M. Forester’s short story, “ The Machine Stops” we see a society living solely through the rein of a machine. Everything that the people say, do, think, etc. is controlled by the all-powerful Machine. The main character, Vashti, is so in favor of and faithful to the Machine that she neglects her own son simply because the Machine tells her that she must. On multiple occasions, she is known to show her allegiance and devotion to the Machine by coming to its defense by saying things like, “You mustn’t say anything against the Machine” (Forster pg. 2). This shows the reader that she is over endowed to the Machine and has irrevocable faith in its commands as well as how dominant the Machine is in her life. As mentioned before, too much obedience to your leader can have catastrophic effects that often lead to both minor and severe acts of revolution. The most extreme example of this would be the ‘family’ of Charles Manson. This was a religious cult peaking in the late 1960’s, known for ‘helter skelter’ and mass suicides. Psychotic leader Manson was like the dictating Machine in several ways. He had