Critique the story ; I, Robot - Runaround (2013, Malta EC)

Critique the story ; I, Robot - Runaround

 

This chapter concerns with the happening between an escaped robot ‘SPEEDY’ and two engineers ‘Powell and Donovan’, who managed the robot. When I read a few pages of the beginning, it seemed to consist of only scientific knowledge, for example chemical elements. But sooner I realized that it was about the real communication.

 

This story talks about the relationship continuously. Firstly, we can see Powell and Donovan. Donovan always asks to Powell before he decides, sometimes eagerly, sometimes with hope in his eyes. It shows us he leans on Donovan’s decision and expects the action from Donovan. Secondly, I want to notice the relationship a bit between and old robot, sadly not named, and engineers. An old robot is described very stupidly. It causes the loud voice for order and makes them high-tempered. It is sure that they were helped by it, but they were just looking for SPEEDY, not an old robot being loyal at the moment. Fortunately, SPEEDY was found and it became clear that SPEEDY didn’t betray them and even saved Powell with a great sincerity.

 

This story also shows the contrast of symbols. Firstly, I want to talk about sunlight and shadow. Generally the sun symbolizes the birth and life because it is the origin of the whole life. But in the story, it was totally different. The sun was the only reason to kill them all. Brightness was just the existence to frighten them. Nevertheless the shadow was the safest place. It is dark and cold as usual but it can be the fortress for life. Secondly, it presents the message about the boundary between human and machine. SPEEDY had followed the law of Robotics but he(!) confessed his confusing emotions and apologized for the mistake. I think that his emotion was caused by Powell’s heart. It’s like the super power that an urgent heart can bring on.

 

I have often heard that sometimes humans are worse than beasts. Now we might change that saying to ‘worse than a machine’. It is not only this story, but also in real life. The machine is overtaking the human. My expectation that SPEEDY must have betrayed them proves it correct.

- Very good critique! Good thinking! Your ideas are very well presented! Well done!