Book Review: "R.U.R." by Karel Capek

As an English major, I'm lucky enough to read some of the most influencing literature of all time. That said, I tend to get a little jaded reading mountains of Pope and Emerson. Lucky for me, English 180Z breaks all that up. Officially titled "Speculative Fiction and Dystopias," this class was made for me. Scifi created my passion for literature. Forget those snobs who read Jane Austen at 13 years old, I was reading Jordan's Wheel of Time and Haydon's Symphony of the Ages. So when this class came around, I had to take it. Now, one month into it, I can honestly say it's the best decision I've ever made.

This week, we're reading "R.U.R. (Rossum's  Universal Robots)" by Karel Capek. It's technically a play, but it's rarely performed and almost as rare to find in a bookstore. Capek, a Czech author born at the turn of the 20th century, coined the name "robot." So it's safe to suffice that this guy's work is a Big Deal. "R.U.R.", in particular, was intended for the Czech audience in 1920. For the Czech's, the play's background of war and subjugation hit home. But, it was Capek's pragmatism in combination with these motifs that made "R.U.R." internationally popular.

Focusing on an alternate reality where robots were mass produced in the early 1900s, the play explores the question of humanity in regards to God, man, and robot. The plot focuses on a huge corporation, R.U.R., that controls the manufacturing, production, and marketing of every robot. The robots have perfect memories, but lack creativity. Over the course of ten years, the robots save the world from hunger, poverty, and suffering. But, (because there's ALWAYS a "but" with robots) the robots revolt, causing a world-wide apocalypse. Frankly, it's just impressive that Capek fit all of this into an 80-page play. Despite how crazy it sounds though, the plot is framed by the question of capitalism and humanity. (Which makes it strangely relevant for today.)

If you don't want to take away an economic moral from the story, simply enjoy the science-driven themes. If you've ever seen I, Robot, Terminator, or Blade Runner and enjoyed it, then you will also enjoy this book.

The play itself is translated from Czech; and, while I can't speak to other editions, Penguin does a fantastic job. The language skims the border of ars gratia artis. So, to the inexperienced reader, it gets a little embarrassing. For example, at the end of Act II, this is what a lot of lines sound like:

"Fabry: You're still burning, you beacon of ingenuity. You're still shining, you bright, preserving thought! Pinnacle of science, beautiful creation of mankind! Blazing spark of genius!"

The language, however, is like that for a reason. The poetic, original language of the humans contrasts the simple, direct language of the robots. So, if you find yourself attempting to roll your eyes at the over dramaticness of some lines, please please think about why it's like that. It'll make it worth your time.

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Specs

Title: R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)
Author: Karel Capek
Written: 1920
Motifs:

• Scientific life vs. Natural life
• Capitalism
• Violence/Pain
• Order vs. Chaos
• Robots (duh)
• Sexism and Racism (because what piece of literature would be complete without those two?)

Favorite quotes:

1. "Fabry: You think that a soul begins with the gnashing of teeth?"
2. "Domin: ...But then the subjugation of man by man and the enslavement of man by matter will cease. Never again will anyone pay for his bread with hatred and his life. There'll be no more laborers, no more secretaries. No one will have to mine coal or slave over someone else's machines. No longer will man need to destroy his soul doing work that he hates."
3. "Hallemeier: When precision reigns, human law reigns, God's law reigns, the laws of the universe reign--everything reigns that should. The timetable is greater that the Gospels, greater than Homer, greater than all of Kant. The timetable is the most perfect manifestation of the human intellect. Mrs. Helena, I'll pour myself another."
4. "Domin: That's nothing! A man should be a bit of a brute. That's in the natural order of things."
   

Reviews:

"One of the great plays of the twentieth century by 'a great writer of the past who speaks to the present in a voice briliant, clear, honorable, blackly funny, and prophetic'" - Kurt Vonnegut