Perhaps the most thought provoking passage from “The Machine Stops” is when Kuno is essentially shun by his own mother. In her head, she claims that “she was ashamed at having borne such a son”. I personally felt that this highlighted an ironic generational dispute where the older individual is fighting for what is new and the younger is fighting for what is old. Kuno’s mother worships the Machine as if it is a deity. Despite having abolished religion in this fantasy world, the Machine and its followers have established their own worldwide cult. Kuno wants no part in this and feels that there is much more to be loved in the simpler side of life. Although we already receive hints that the mother is a rejecter of the old ways (like when she abhors the use of air travel which she deems archaic), it is her rejection of her own son that really alienates Vashti from the audience.