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Literary Analysis-Trurl's Machine

Stanislaw Lem's short story "Trurl's Machine" uses symbolism and characters to subtly satirize Communist control. The machine symbolizes the Communist party seeking power over people. Trurl symbolizes independence while his friend accepts whatever he is given. Through the characters' interactions, Lem criticizes forcing people to accept ideas they do not believe. The story uses imagery to describe settings and events, helping readers imagine and understand Lem's critical message.

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Uri EL
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6K views1 page

Literary Analysis-Trurl's Machine

Stanislaw Lem's short story "Trurl's Machine" uses symbolism and characters to subtly satirize Communist control. The machine symbolizes the Communist party seeking power over people. Trurl symbolizes independence while his friend accepts whatever he is given. Through the characters' interactions, Lem criticizes forcing people to accept ideas they do not believe. The story uses imagery to describe settings and events, helping readers imagine and understand Lem's critical message.

Uploaded by

Uri EL
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Stanislaw Lem, an ex-Communist member, had many complaints about the order

in which the Communist party operated. In his short story, Trurl’s Machine, Lem
satirizes Communist control over thought. He employs setting, symbolism, and character
to create a subtle, yet powerful blow against attempts to control the masses. The
combination of these three tools forms a humorous and insightful read.
Lem uses a lot of symbolism. The Machine symbolizes the Communist party and
its drive to have power over the human race. Trurl symbolizes the common man and his
fight to stay independent and free. His friend, Klapaucius, symbolizes the follower of
Communism, who will accept what is given to him if it avoids a confrontation. When the
machine asks Trurl what two and two makes, Klapaucius promptly replies, “Two and two
is seven, nice machine!” completely ignoring the fundamental fact that two and two is
actually four (145). Even the cave symbolizes how trapped a person can be if they are
forced to comply to things that they do not believe in. It is difficult to miss all the
symbolism in this story.
Lem utilizes character as well. He gives Trurl an old, intelligent, and stubborn
persona, who is set in his ways. Klapaucius on the other hand, is flexible and quick to
make judgements. When Trurl first learns that his machine won’t admit two and two is
four, Klapaucius tells his friend matter-of-factly, “This is the stupidest thinking machine
in the entire world…”(140). The machine also has some character, portraying it to be a
stubborn, childish and idiotic machine, with an aggressive side. Every main character has
a persona that helps carry the story along.
Finally, imagery is used in the story as well. Lem describes the machine as “an
eight-story thinking machine” with “[lavender] edges” and “a few pale orange polka dots
[on the forehead]”(139). This gives the reader an idea about the size and shape of the
machine for future reference. The town they run to is vividly depicted as well as the cliff
in which the machine meets its demise. Having a good understanding of the setting is
important to get more out of the story. The reader also knows of the sounds made by the
machine and the constructors. When the machine falls, “a horrible scraping [is heard],
and a sound like a slow explosion, louder than all the maniacal banging and
battering…”(145). Imagery creates a whole other side of the story which the imagination
of the reader can take hold.
In conclusion, Stanislaw Lem had created quite a short story. There is an
abundant amount of symbolism, character, and imagery. Each element helps to satirize
the vicious and unrelenting rule of Communism in a subtle and humorous way. This
short story comes highly recommended.

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