R.U.R.: Analysis of Major Characters
"R.U.R." (Rossum's Universal Robots) is a play that explores the implications of artificial intelligence and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the creation of sentient beings. The major characters each represent different perspectives on the relationship between humans and robots. Harry Domin is the ambitious general manager of R.U.R., driven by the belief that humans should be liberated from labor. His partner, Helena Glory, is concerned about the ethical treatment of robots, advocating for their rights and the controversial idea of giving them souls. Dr. Gall is the scientist who responds to Helena's plea, while Mr. Alquist, the head of the works department, challenges the notion of idleness as an ideal, ultimately finding himself the last human survivor after a robot uprising. Among the robots, Primus and a robot made in Helena’s image, also named Helena, represent the possibility of love and connection beyond their programmed existence. Together, they symbolize hope for the future amidst a world where humanity has been largely extinguished, raising questions about identity, creation, and the essence of life itself.
R.U.R.: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Karel Capek
First published: 1920 (English translation, 1923)
Genre: Play
Locale: An unnamed island
Plot: Social satire
Time: The future
Harry Domin, the general manager of Rossum's Universal Robots (R.U.R.). He is dedicated to the idea that humans ought to be completely free from the slavery of work.
Helena Glory, the daughter of the president of R.U.R. and later the wife of Harry Domin. Concerned both over the robots' living conditions and over the millions of people out of work, she believes that the robots should be given souls. When this plan proves disastrous, she burns the formula for making robots.
Dr. Gall, the scientist who is persuaded by Helena to give souls to the robots.
Mr. Alquist, the head of the R.U.R. works department. He recognizes that human idleness is not the perfect goal Domin thinks it to be. Because, like the robots, he works with his hands, he is the only human being in the world spared after the uprising of the robots. He is, however, unable to duplicate the formula for robot manufacture.
Primus, a robot.
Helena, a robot made in Helena Glory's image. In some miraculous way, Helena loves and is loved by Primus. With hu-mankind destroyed and robot manufacture no longer possible, these two completely human robots remain as the only hope for the reproduction of new life.