“The Machine Stops” by E.M. Forester – Madison Eberhardt

E.M. Forsters, “The Machine Stops,” is about a futuristic society in which is controlled by a type of god called, “the Machine.” In the beginning, I believed this “machine” was just the object that Vashti was living in, but then it was Vashti’s whole world, a god in which she would call to in times of need and even would quote from. It can also be noted that it is capitalized and has its own book that is very important to Vashti, as it quotes, “This was the Book of the Machine.” (4) I was wondering whether this book acted more as a bible or like a manual for these futuristic individuals. One aspect that really stood out to me while reading is how Vashti constantly was repeating, “I have no ideas here” even when she was. For example, when she discovers all the beautiful geography below her on the trip to see her son, she continues to persuade herself that no ideas of her own would come of seeing the earth. The machine has completely destroyed the once unique and natural world, leaving its people powerless in its control. They are in belief that safety, happiness, or comfort, is all because of what the machine has provided for them.

Reading how Vashti and Kuno live alongside “the machine” in which has completely taken control over the ideas, lives, and communication of the world, one can compare this to today’s society with the internet and technology. Without both of these advancements today, society would no longer be able to function normally. Our generation is one of the first to grow up with so much access to tech & communication, we are already seeing how disconnected it is making us. Just like how in “The Machine Stops” once the machine stops working, the entire society collapses, I wonder if this has any relation to what could happen if our technology or internet completely stopped working. How would society function? Would individuals simply give up or work to connect back together again?

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