The Machine Stops Essay
The Machine and Modernism
“The Machine Stops” by E.M. Foster explores the collapse of modernistic ideas and the detrimental effects of human progression as a result of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. One of the characters, Kuno, realizes that flaws exist within the Machine they live in because it has failed him. Whereas, his mother, Vashti, worships the machine and all it has done for her, as it allows for her to live a comfortable life with all she feels that she needs. Modernism aims for the progression of human beings and has made religion to seem obsolete in futuristic day and age. This allows for science to take religion’s place as a means of worship and for those to follow with blind faith. Vashti believes she “worships nothing” and that …show more content…
Nonetheless, he recognizes that it is doing the opposite, not aiding in human progress, but limiting and dwindling intellect by making knowledge useless; humans have stagnated while the Machine has advanced. Moreover, Vashti does not share this perspective and is unconvinced of Kuno’s prediction of the Machine stopping. Although when it begins to show signs of failure she starts to question her reliance. Then, when the machine ultimately stops, she comes to realize fully the banefulness that the Machine had inflicted on humanity, how “man was dying, strangled in the garment that he had woven” (23). Vashti finally comprehends that the rapid progression of the human species and all that they had created led to their demise. This illustrates the collapse of modernism as Vashti’s objective worship, heavy reliance and blind faith in the Machine shatters when the Machine stops working. This is contrasted with Kuno’s postmodernist beliefs in subjectivity, and seeking enlightenment through the faith that something else is out there. In conclusion, E.M. Foster’s “The Machine Stops” predicts the collapse of modernism and how human progression can limit us and contrasts with the values
“The Machine Stops” by E.M. Foster explores the collapse of modernistic ideas and the detrimental effects of human progression as a result of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. One of the characters, Kuno, realizes that flaws exist within the Machine they live in because it has failed him. Whereas, his mother, Vashti, worships the machine and all it has done for her, as it allows for her to live a comfortable life with all she feels that she needs. Modernism aims for the progression of human beings and has made religion to seem obsolete in futuristic day and age. This allows for science to take religion’s place as a means of worship and for those to follow with blind faith. Vashti believes she “worships nothing” and that …show more content…
Nonetheless, he recognizes that it is doing the opposite, not aiding in human progress, but limiting and dwindling intellect by making knowledge useless; humans have stagnated while the Machine has advanced. Moreover, Vashti does not share this perspective and is unconvinced of Kuno’s prediction of the Machine stopping. Although when it begins to show signs of failure she starts to question her reliance. Then, when the machine ultimately stops, she comes to realize fully the banefulness that the Machine had inflicted on humanity, how “man was dying, strangled in the garment that he had woven” (23). Vashti finally comprehends that the rapid progression of the human species and all that they had created led to their demise. This illustrates the collapse of modernism as Vashti’s objective worship, heavy reliance and blind faith in the Machine shatters when the Machine stops working. This is contrasted with Kuno’s postmodernist beliefs in subjectivity, and seeking enlightenment through the faith that something else is out there. In conclusion, E.M. Foster’s “The Machine Stops” predicts the collapse of modernism and how human progression can limit us and contrasts with the values