34 pages • 1 hour read
R.U.R.
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
64
Play • Fiction
Remote Island • Future
1920
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In R.U.R., Karel Čapek imagines a future world where robots serve as the workforce for humanity, developed by Rossum's Universal Robots. When the robots revolt, led by a malfunctioning robot named Radius, they annihilate nearly all humans except Alquist, who struggles with the secret of robot creation. The play explores themes of humanity, love, and the ethics of creation, culminating in a hopeful moment as two robots embody human qualities.
Mysterious
Dark
Contemplative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
15,539 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Karel Čapek's play R.U.R. is widely praised for introducing the term "robot" and offering prophetic insights into automation and its societal impacts. Positive reviews commend its inventive narrative and philosophical depth. Criticisms include a somewhat dated writing style and occasional melodrama. Overall, it's a thought-provoking classic in science fiction and theater.
Who Should Read R.U.R.?
Fans of dystopian fiction and thought-provoking science fiction will enjoy Karel Čapek's R.U.R.. Similar to readers of H.G. Wells' The Time Machine or Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, this play offers a compelling exploration of robotics, ethics, and the potential consequences of technological advancement.
15,539 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Alquist
Alquist
An older builder with a grizzled appearance, Alquist serves as the chief of construction, embodying themes of work and morality throughout the narrative.
Harry Domin
Harry Domin
A corporate director of Rossum’s Universal Robots, Domin is introduced as a central character whose views on work and leisure contrast with those of other characters.
Radius
Radius
One of the significant robots known for his rebellion against human control, showcasing evolving human-like qualities.
Robot Helena
Robot Helena
A significant robot who, alongside Primus, displays elements of romantic love and human emotion.
Primus
Primus
A major robot figure who, like Robot Helena, exhibits traits of human love and emotion.
Fabry, Dr. Gall, Dr. Hallemeier, and Busman
Fabry, Dr. Gall, Dr. Hallemeier, and Busman
Supporting directors in the narrative, whose interactions with Helena highlight their roles in the factory and similarities to one another.
64
Play • Fiction
Remote Island • Future
1920
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.