The Machine Stops

Style and Technique

E.M. Forster's story «The Machine Stops» is written in the genre of science fiction and dystopia. The style of the work is characterized by clarity and conciseness, allowing the author to effectively convey the unsettling atmosphere of a future where humanity is entirely dependent on the Machine. The language of the story is rich with technical terms and descriptions, emphasizing the technological nature of the world in which the characters live. Forster uses symbolism to depict the degradation of human relationships and the loss of individuality. The structure of the story is linear but includes elements of retrospection that help reveal the backstory of the world and characters. The author skillfully uses dialogues to show the difference in worldview between the main characters, Vashti and her son Kuno, highlighting the conflict between dependence on technology and the desire for freedom. Literary devices such as irony and allegory help Forster critique a society overly reliant on technology and warn of the possible consequences of such dependence.