Marionettes, Inc.

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"Marionettes, Inc.", is a short story by Ray Bradbury from his collection of short stories, The Illustrated Man. In it, Bradbury conjures a conflict between man and machine and depicts the human dependence on technology, a common theme for Bradbury's stories.

[edit] Plot summary

The two main characters and the setting are introduced in a brief exposition. Smith and Braling, both men of middle age, find themselves trapped in their marriages. Braling, married to a nervous and authoritarian wife, and Smith, married to a wife who is madly in love and constantly demands his presence, both long for personal freedom and project these desires into going to Rio de Janeiro. However, both characters are afraid of changes and the responsibilities of their selfish doing and thus endure their situation.

The following part of the story offers a solution: The concept of Marionettes is introduced. These exact duplicates are offered by the company Marionettes, Inc. and, following the motto "No Strings Attached", serve as a replacement for the customer. Braling reveals that he has been using a marionette to fulfill both his obligations as a husband and his personal interests. With his wife completely unaware, he eventually plans to visit Rio while his android marionette is replacing him at home. Braling presents his duplicate who behaves surprisingly human.

When the duplicate expresses emotions towards Braling's wife ("I've grown rather fond of her."), an upcoming conflict is anticipated. But Smith, fascinated by this solution, decides to buy his own marionette to escape his domestic prison.

The action rises and the reader's anticipation is affirmed in a turning point when Smith finds out that he himself has been tricked by a marionette wife. The action moves back to Braling who is standing in front of the apartment with his duplicate.

Braling, presently not needing a replacement, orders his marionette to hide in the basement. However, the conflict evolves further as his duplicate disobeys his order and suggests that he has equal emotions and even admits that he is in love with Braling's wife. Braling, treating him as a tool and suspecting a further escalation, tries to escape and call Marionettes, Inc. for support, but fails as his duplicate seizes him. The verbal conflict now culminates in a physical conflict and the story reaches its climax. The android reveals his plans of travelling to Rio with Braling's wife and then says goodbye to his owner.

The story proceeds in the bedroom where Braling kisses Mrs. Braling. However, it is uncertain whether it is the real Braling or the duplicate as Bradbury deliberately uses "someone" instead of a definite pronoun; but Mrs. Braling's surprised reaction could suggest either the defeat of Braling or his newfound appreciation for his wife.

The dénouement only resolves the direct conflict between Braling and his duplicate; however, Smith's conflict remains unsolved and it is unclear, if the androids replace the human existence.

[edit] Interpretation

As many of Bradbury's stories, Marionettes, Inc. can be interpreted as a warning to society. Bradbury comments on the rise of technology as a means to solve interpersonal conflicts. He points at the possible dangers of dehumanized, technology-driven world where AI gradually replaces man and—in the worst case—destroys its creators.

The company Marionettes, Inc. will later re-appear in the story Punishment Without Crime, part of the collection Long After Midnight (1976). Marionette use has become increasingly frequent in this world, and is illegal, punishable by death. The story concerns a man who murders his wife and tries to replace her with a marionette, only to find that the marionette is no different than his real wife was.