- Sep 2015
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archive.ncsa.illinois.edu archive.ncsa.illinois.edu
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for it was rumoured that Euthanasia, too, was out of order, and that pain had reappeared among men.
With Vashti's comment that she wanted to be euthanised because she gave a bad lecture, it appears that euthanasia is a common want in the people, even if for mundane events. It is therefore, highly possible that this 'pain' Vashti speaks of is something we may not recognise as pain; it may be something mundane that the people controlled by The Machine have been provided with their whole lives, and thus feel they cannot love without.
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while there was the Book there was security.
Another example of the power that the Book and The Machine has over the people, even in a time of crisis that is directly associated with their leaders.
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"I have seen them, spoken to them, loved them. They are hiding in the midst and the ferns until our civilization stops. Today they are the Homeless - tomorrow ------ "
Is Kuno's encounter with these 'other people' explicitly mentioned before this moment in the story?
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Wessex, when Ælfrid overthrew the Danes.
What is the purpose of these references to Wessex (the Anglo Saxon Kingdom) in terms of forming the overall storyline?
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kissing the Book
Even in a time of complete terror and upheaval (most likely caused by The Machine) Vashti still believes that the Book will provide her with comfort.
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The Mending Apparatus has treated us so well in the past that we all sympathize with it, and will wait patiently for its recovery. In its own good time it will resume its duties
Another example of how blame is not placed upon The Machine when its failings become apparent
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"Some one of meddling with the Machine---" they began. "Some one is trying to make himself king, to reintroduce the personal element." "Punish that man with Homelessness."
The people of this world have become so dependent on The Machine that they cannot accept the entity they accept as their leader may possibly be failing them.
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re-establishment of religion
Religion is re-established, however not the in sense we understand today; religious affiliation with The Machine is what is emphasised to the people. Perhaps this was an attempt to make the people so dependent on The Machine they wouldn't realise the collapse of their world.
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"Beware of first- hand ideas!" exclaimed one of the most advanced of them. "First-hand ideas do not really exist.
The Machine and those loyal to it shun the idea of independent thought throughout the story. Creating a collective group focussed around the same ideas as opposed to allowing for opinion and discussion leaves the people dependent on The Machine for guidance and support in their everyday lives.
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Wessex
Wessex was an Anglo Saxon kingdom in the UK up until around the 10th century. While the name is used in some contexts today, the kingdom no longer exists. What was the purpose of bringing this name up again in what we assume to be a futuristic setting?
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If she was hot or cold or dyspeptic or at a loss for a word, she went to the book, and it told her which button to press.
The Machine and the book detailing its processes again fosters a dependent relationship between the humans and Machines. Humans rely upon the Machine wholeheartedly to solve their problems; this connection creating a system of subservience towards the Machine.
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Has she had any ideas lately? Might one tell her one"s own ideas?
The Machine, through asking if Vashti and the members of the community if they have 'had any ideas lately', fosters a community based upon control; it appears to be a threatening statement, characterising the relationship between the humans and the machines as one of almighty leader (the Machine) dictating the thoughts and ideas of the humans in the community.
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the Machine did not transmit nuances of expression
The Machine is used merely as a tool to convey messages - emotions cannot be translated through it. Thus, the relationship between the humans and 'The Machine' becomes one of control - in that the Machine has a hold over the humans and influences their social interactions.
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I will isolate myself
This idea of isolation is also a concept foreign to the reader. While the word is familiar, the idea of 'isolating yourself' to talk to others is an unfamiliar idea not used in the present day. These cultural references are not wholly explained, but become more clear in the mind of the reader as the text progresses.
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pneumatic post
The idea of 'pneumatic post' may need to be explained. As far as I know, this concept is never brought up in the text again, and is not a process that is familiar to a contemporary reader. Therefore, we begin to understand that the text and its cultural references are foreign to us, and are possibly not rooted in our time frame/universe.
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