Time Differences In English Literature

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Over time, science fiction has changed significantly following the trends of a certain era. When you read a literary piece made in the 19th century, don’t expect it to be quite similar to the ones made a few months ago. Even though there are many differences, there are also some similar concepts and ideas, which shows how time differences influences a writer’s style. The two texts that will be used in this essay are ‘The Machine Stops’ by E.M. Foster, and ‘Transcendence’, a 2014 movie. This essay will explain the theme, plot, and purpose of these two stories. The theme of the two pieces is that they both lack a sense of humanity. Both stories drive more towards respecting technology instead of appreciating human qualities. Both TMS and Transcendence …show more content…

Or I can upload the virus, but there 's not enough time for both.” –Will Caster. In the last scene of the movie, we can see that the two main characters are dying. However, the rest of the society is saved from the technology that is about to take over the world. Contrary to that, ‘The Machine Stops ‘story closes with the machine collapsing which brings down human civilization with it. “As he spoke, the whole city was broken like a honeycomb. An air-ship had sailed in through the vomitory into a ruined wharf (last paragraph, line 1).” At the end of the story, Kuno, his mother, and all the other people living in the machine eventually dies and human lives exist no …show more content…

In TMS the warning was presented by the machine’s tyranny, whereas in Transcendence, it was Dr. Will’s aggressive actions upon “transcending” into a sort of computer being. “’You are beginning to worship the machine’ he says coldly (Page 13, p13, s1).” The writer of the story is trying to say that we as human beings are supposed to embrace what makes us human instead of giving it up for the sake of having an easy and relaxing life. Similarly, a quote in ‘Transcendence’ reads: “It just doesn’t make sense. They’re afraid of technology, because of its threat to humanity… yet they don’t flinch at taking a life. So obviously they’re not big on logic. But there’s no shortage of irony.” –Will Caster. The creators of this film is trying to tell the audience that in the future, when technology successfully takes over human lives, something bad is bound to