34 pages 1 hour read

Karel Čapek

R.U.R.

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1920

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.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

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.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Play: Drama

Play: Tragedy

Topics

Technology

Themes

Natural World: Appearance & Reality

Emotions/Behavior: Love

Values/Ideas: Science & Technology