This assignment is for the essay. You have a few options for this literary analysis paper. You may choose to analyze the I, Robot (novel) by itself. You may choose to compare – or discuss – the I, Robot book with either (or both) the Metropolis movie and/or the I, Robot movie. But first, what is a literary analysis? A literary analysis paper (for our purposes) ignores everything except the text. So, you don’t need to rely on outside sources – your thoughts are just as valid as anyone else’s thoughts. That’s a good thing. Still, what is it? The main purpose of a literary analysis is to examine a text in order to explain and expand upon/deepen our understanding of the text. It is very often judgmental…but there’s a catch…and, again, you have several choices on how to do this. If you choose to analyze the I, Robot novel by itself: Remember that this is not a book review. You do not have to tell me whether you loved the book or hated it, so that kind of judgment doesn’t count. Instead, you examine the author’s craft. You judge how well (effectively) or how poorly (ineffectively) the author accomplished a particular goal. Here are some ideas to consider when examining the novel as a whole: Why are there no female robots in the stories? What effects does this have on the stories? How does this lack of female reobots relate to Dr. Calvin? How do the stories trace a developing cognition by robots? Do robots have a soul? Trace the development of dominance from human to robot throughout the stories. Asimov wrote each of these stories individually throughout the 1940s and collected them together in one book in 1950. What techniques or strategies did the author use to connect the stories in a coherent manner so they appear to fit together or develop from one to another? Here are some ideas to consider if you are focusing on one individual story: “Robbie” (1940) Explain how this story is sexist, male-chauvinistic (due to the common values of the time period in which it was written). Additionally, explain how this sexism, male-chauvinism affected the story. Using the characterization presented in the story, explain what it means to be “human.” Explain, also, what it means to be “humane.” Explain how Robbie’s inability to speak affects the story, especially in terms of: relationships, the First Law, or the plot sequence. “Runaround” (1942) Explain how the Three Laws of Robotics enslave robots. Consider applying the article entitled, “If animals have rights, should robots? Download If animals have rights, should robots?” to this story, especially in terms of subservience and servitude to humans. Compare the two types of robots in this story. How are they equal or different in terms of their relationships to humans? “Reason” (1941) How does an over-reliance on logic lead to the robots creating a religion? Using the various articles in our module, discuss, analyze, or take a stance with regard to robots and religion. That is, how do robots relate to religion? Can a robot start a religion? Can a robot be part of a religion? How would a robotic (A.I.) religion differ from, be similar to, or relate to, other modern-day religions? “Catch That Rabbit” (1944) How does the introduction of new technologies (solutions) also introduce new problems? How do Donovan and Powell solve their problem with these robots? Compare how the humans solve this problem with how they solve a somewhat similar problem in “Runaround.” In what ways do the humans use the Three Laws to their advantage? Explain what Powell means when he insists that applying human-based understanding of problems (such as diseases or drunkenness) do not apply to robots – and that robots are rule-based creatures. “Liar!” (1941) Explain how the robot is in control of the humans, and not the other way around (as is usual). Calvin ultimately destroys Herbie through the robot’s inability to act upon two contradictory needs or motivations. This story reveals that humans may have internal contradictions that they keep hidden.How does this story display human superiority in balancing contradictory needs or motivations, whether hidden or revealed? Discuss the incongruity of a brilliant person such as Dr. Calvin seemingly not being able to properly apply makeup? What does this say about the expectations of women (in the 1940s) versus the portrayal of Calvin as a person and a woman? “Little Lost Robot” (1947) How does hubris, or excessive pride, influence the story’s plot and ultimate solution? In several stories so far – and stories to come – Calvin is upset that the Three Laws have been modified. Why does human tampering with the Three Laws affect the robots so negatively? Why is Calvin so upset whenever this happens? In this story, and others, robots are sentient or thinking beings. In what ways do the Three Laws protect humans from robot resentment (and superiority)? “Escape!” (1945) Usually, Calvin is rigidly opposed to bending the rules of the Three Laws. Explain why, and how, she – and the Brain – bend those rules. What is the result? How does humor fit into this story? What is its purpose? “Evidence” (1946) At the end of the story, Calvin is unsure if Byerley is a robot or human. Discuss the implications of a robot that cannot be distinguished from a human – in this story and in general. Consider that in previous stories, such as the movie Metropolis, robots have a “tell” or distinguishing feature that allows human readers and audiences to identify them as robots. What are the implications if robots cannot be so easily identified? What “tell” or distinguishing feature does Sonny display in the movie I, Robot? Why and how is this important to the development of the story and Sonny’s relationship to the other characters. “The Evitable Conflict” (1950) How does this story relate to the movie version of I, Robot? Why are the Machines so open about being robots? How does this openness solve a problem, or perhaps indicate a strategy, compared to the ideas and events in “Evidence”? What does the control by the Machines suggest about human free will? There are NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWERS. The answers are all good as long as you can support them, back them up, and explain them clearly. Do not worry about showing your like or dislike for the book. That’s not the point here. Instead, show that Asimov did a good job, a bad job, or an uneven job (sometimes good and sometimes bad) in conveying his ideas to you, the reader. I hope this helps. Some other things to consider. Literary Analysis Is generally focused on one topic A theme or symbol(s) or development, and so on. Is supported by: textual examples (either quotations or paraphrases) explanations It examines the text, and ignores everything outside of the text. It may consider any of the following: structure, plot setting(s) character(s) style, tone, language symbols, allegories, allusions If there is a summary of the text, it is extremely brief (perhaps a sentence or two, certainly no more than a paragraph) and at the beginning of the essay. Remember that the narrator is not the same as the author. Literature is crafted, so examine the craft Remember that this type of essay is different from the previous one. In a exemplification essay, we have an emphasis on evidence (along with explanations of that evidence). In a literary analysis essay, the emphasis is reversed. You certainly have textual evidence, but the emphasis is on your analysis – your thoughts, insights, perceptions. You need to give judgment and show not only what you think but why you think that. If you choose to discuss one – or both – of the movies (Metropolis and/or I, Robot) in relation to the novel, consider these ideas: Asimov’s perspective on robots, or robot-human relations, was in direct opposition to the perspective shown in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. Consider the role of the robotic character Maria. Was she good or bad, and why? How did she influence the behavior of the humans surrounding her? What would (did) Asimov object to when considering this depiction of robots and robot-human relationships? Was the final scene involving the robotic Maria justified? How does that scene affect you as a viewer (and the human characters surrounding the robotic Maria) when you consider what they were doing to her? The I, Robot movie gives mixed messages about the benevolence or malevolence of robots in relation to humans. Which parts of the movie can be traced back to specific stories in the novel? Which parts of the movie would Asimov object to, and why? Which parts of the movie would Asimov consent to, and why? Overall, how does this movie compare in tone and message – and specific concepts/ideas – to the novel? You might consider the movie Metropolis, the novel I, Robot, and the movie version of I, Robot as following a continuum of perspectives about robots and robot-human relationships. Trace that development from malevolence to benevolence (or a mixed message) along the three different “texts.” Consider tying these texts with some of the articles in our module (as support for your thinking). Considering technological advancements, time-period culture and history, how can you justify or make sense of how and why these different texts were produced? That is, these texts were produced by societies and cultures that differ greatly. Can you demonstrate how and why each society/culture (time period) produced each text? Metropolis 1927 I, Robot (novel) 1950 I, Robot (movie) 2004) Regardless of your choice, your final essay must be : Written in third-person narrative perspective – no “I, we, us, our” in it. No personal examples or references. Use multiple citations that are Explained Cited – from the novel and, if necessary, one or both of the movies. Clearly organized Follows MLA style and format 4+ pages in length, plus a Works Cited page
