R.U.R.

R.U.R. Summary | Act 1 Summary

R.U.R. is Karel Capek's play about robots developed to replace humans in the work force for the objective of improving productivity and manufacturing efficiency. The play, written in 1921, addresses the issues of technology and its role in a burgeoning industrial global economy.

The play begins in the office of the factory of Rossum's Universal Robots (R.U.R.) where the factory manager, Mr. Domin, dictates letters to a secretary named Sulla. Domin dictates the full contents of each letter as Sulla listens intently. She begins to type once Domin has completely finished speaking. Each letter acknowledges the receipt of an order for robots or the resolution of some issue relating to robots.

This pattern of rapid-fire dictation continues through the completion of three letters. Then, a man named Marius enters the room to announce the arrival of a young woman named Helena Glory.

Domin greets Miss Glory and tells her that it is his honor to host her, as she is the daughter of President Glory. Domin excuses Sulla, who leaves the room. Then, Domin begins to talks to Miss Glory about a tour of the factory, assuming that this is the reason she has visited. Domin offers to show Miss Glory an extended view of the factory, given her position as the president's daughter.

Domin asks for Miss Glory's agreement to confidentiality, and she lifts the veil on her hat so that Domin may look into her eyes and see that she has no nefarious intentions. Domin is startled by her beauty and is distracted for a short time. He asks Miss Glory about the length of her stay.

Domin provides a history of the R.U.R. company, beginning with Mr. Rossum's unsuccessful attempt to re-create protoplasm while on a stay on the factory's isolated island. Rossum did discover an alternate substance, with which he created some deviant creatures in his attempts to make a human being.

Domin tells Miss Glory that Rossum was mad, thinking that he was a substitute for God in that he could create living creatures. Rossum's final version of a man lived only three days. Then Rossum's son, young Rossum, invented a human-looking robot that would revolutionize the industrial world. Robots are built without emotions or any unnecessary elements, so they make the perfect workers and the best solution for cutting manufacturing costs.

The Rossum robots are mechanically perfect, and yet they are not exactly like people. They have exceptional intelligence but no soul. Not satisfied with his accomplishments, young Rossum created a breed of Super-Robots twice the size of an average human, but this was a disastrous experiment. The factory produces only normal sized robots today.

R.U.R. produces different grades of robots, ranging from those that work as street sweepers to more advanced levels. Domin calls for Sulla to return, and Miss Glory is shocked to discover that Sulla is one of the highest-grade robots. Miss Glory is further shocked when Marius reveals that he, too, is a robot.

Domin offers to have Sulla and Marius taken to the dissecting room to prove that they are not human inside, but Miss Glory is horrified at the suggestion. Sulla and Marius know that dissection means they would no longer be able to move, but they have no reaction to the idea of being dismantled.

Domin dismisses Sulla and Marius and indicates the rows of offices that are staffed with robots. Domin promises to show Miss Glory the Kneading Trough where the robot paste is developed as well as the vats where the kidneys, livers and brains are produced. Then, they would continue on to the Spinning Mill, where the nerves and veins are created.

Factory managers, Mr. Fabry, Dr. Gall, Dr. Hallemeier, Mr. Busman and Mr. Alquist, now join Domin and Miss Glory. The managers have just learned about Miss Glory's visit.

After an exchange of pleasantries, Miss Glory is sure that these men are also robots, and she reveals the real purpose of her visit, which is to intervene on behalf of robot rights as a representative of the Humanity League.

The men reveal that only factory officials are robots, and since they are managers, they are human beings. Miss Glory apologizes to the men, but she is firm in her intention to stop the exploitation of robots at the factory. The managers launch into explanations of the value of robots in the world, since they are extremely efficient and cost effective and will some day make human work obsolete.

The managers' answer does not comfort Miss Glory, who does not want to see humans put out of jobs, either. The managers assure her that the price of goods will shrink to nothing, and then humans will no longer require jobs or income.

Miss Glory is firm in her purpose as representative of the Humanity League and in her objective to liberate robots so that they may function as human beings. The managers try to explain to Miss Glory that providing wages and food to robots is an exercise in futility, since they have no need or want for anything. The only thing that robots experience that is remotely similar to a human emotion is something called Robot's Cramp, which is compared to an epileptic fit in a human being.

Miss Glory contends that this must be the robot's soul trying to make itself known, but the managers negate the suggestion. Dr. Gall admits that he is working on integrating pain-nerves into the robots, not to torture them, but because the robots do not know when they have a body part stuck in a machine or have done some other form of damage to themselves. The repair costs are escalating.

The ultimate goal for R.U.R. is to produce enough robots for the world so that human labor will become obsolete. Humans will be free to simply live and create. The managers are envious that Miss Glory is young enough that she will live to see that day.

The managers leave the room to prepare lunch, and while they are gone, Domin asks Miss Glory to marry him. Shocked by the proposal, Miss Glory declines, and Domin tells her that if she does not accept his proposal, all the other managers will ask her because they all have fallen in love with her.

Miss Glory tells Domin that he is mad, and he contends that a little madness is the best part of a man. Domin then grabs Miss Glory and kisses her passionately. She accepts the marriage proposal. The managers enter again, asking Domin if he has finished his job. When he indicates that he has, they all rush forward to congratulate the happy couple.