Messages from the Machine The world in which EM Forster's short story “The Machine Stops” is set was thus extremely standardized and private of individuality that every difference in the personality of the characters in the story becomes particularly evident and significant. Forster conveys his ideas about freedom of expression and the dangers of conformity by creating characters such as Vashti and Kuno, as well as the very idea of ​​the Machine, to highlight the opinions held by different groups in society and highlight the effect holding such opinions can have . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Kuno's tendency to deviate from society's expectations and his desire to get more out of life make him representative of those who derive pleasure from the freedom that comes with nonconformity. Kuno has exhibited habits that put him at odds with social standards. Unlike other humans at the time, Kuno has remained in contact with his mother and even wishes to see her in person. Even more shockingly, he is dissatisfied with life in his room, the place where society expects him to have access to everything he needs to be completely happy and where life “was perfectly easy” (Forster 126). His desire to travel not only beyond the walls of his room, but to the surface of the Earth is so unconventional that it drives even his mother to feel repelled by him. Kuno's ambition to do "what was not contemplated by the Machine" arises from his individualistic spirit and the belief that "man is the measure"; thoughts that have been nearly annihilated in this new world of identity (Forster 134). Nothing gives him more motivation or pleasure than going against society and the Machine. His feat of expressing himself culminates in his illegal visit to the surface and subsequent threat of becoming homeless. Forster's characterization of Kuno as a maverick serves to promote the idea that true happiness comes from freedom of mind and body. In his search for satisfaction in life Kuno turns away from the “mechanical” thoughts that nearly all of the human population shares and begins to practice, a practice despised by those who worship the machine. Kuno's experience in challenging the machine and social norms is demonstrative of the innate human desire for independence and the satisfaction that comes from achieving it. Vashti represents those who conform to the ways of society while secretly harboring doubts about the beliefs they are taught to hold. While on the surface, Vashti appears to be as mechanical as any citizen of this new Earth should be, with her inseparability from technology, adherence to the Machine's rules, and aversion to nature and physical contact with others. he possesses some qualities that reveal the traditional human nature he retains. Although the duties of parenthood end “at the moment of birth,” Vashti maintained a relationship with him and even received repeated personal visits from him as “there was something special about all his children” (Forster 126). This natural tendency to remain close to one's children reveals that the bonds of maternal love cannot be destroyed even by a force as powerful as that of the Machine. Vashti further exposes her skepticism of social standards when she responds, “I don't worship anything!” to Kumo's accusation that he is just like the Committee and all the other citizens who idolize the Machine and its ideals (Forster 132). Although, unlike her son, Vashti doesn't have the drive or courage to.