October 4th 2009
In Mr. McGuchan’s Grade 9 English Class, we have recently been asked to take on an independent novel assignment. For my Novel, I chose I, Robot, written by Isaac Asimov.
Chapter one entitled “Robbie”, starts off a young 8-year-old girl, Gloria, playing hide and seek with her robot. Throughout the chapter, I learn that the chapter one setting is in the State of New York, 1998. I know now that this book must have been written a while ago, as the author’s idea of 1998 is a little incorrect. There aren’t too many other details as to what futuristic 1998 is like, but other relations I will explain later on. This also convinces me not too expect too many flying cars and robots in future. Gloria seems be a typical little 8 year old, and too me she seems a little greedy. Gloria bosses her robot around, maybe not in an angry manor, but in the little rich girl kind of manor I think. I can relate, as I have run into many kids with this personality.
Later on in the chapter, Gloria’s parents are convinced the robot is preventing her from befriending other human girls, so they take the robot away behind Gloria’s back, and told her that he ran away. Then they buy Gloria a dog, thinking it would be more suitable as a real living creature for a pet. I can understand why the parents would not tell her. Trying to explain why a robot isn’t a real living thing even thought it plays, follows orders, and does everything a “best friend” does, would be hard.
The family then goes on a trip to New York City, hoping Gloria will see the real world in a different way, full of other people. 1998 New York City is full of robots, and seems to differ New York City today way to much, considering 1998 was 11 years ago. The trip ends up not doing so well as Gloria thinks they are there to try and find Robbie. There final attempt to convince Gloria that a robot is not a living thing and has no soul was to go to a robot factory, but this only leads to Gloria finding Robbie, who was brought back to the factory to complete labor.
I think what the parents did was wrong, as they should of expected what would happen in the end.
The chapter ends here, but I would imagine that Gloria would be angry with her parents for lying to her for quite some time.
The story plot changes after this chapter, but I think this chapter will hold key information in relation to other chapters. Maybe as the book progresses, an older Gloria will come back. Robbie could possibly return, but I am still not very confident in any of my predictions on how the book will progress, I will just have to keep reading more.
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