Week Ten: "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" (1pts)

  “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream,” by Harlan Ellison takes punishment to the extreme and presents an existence that relies on creation. AM, a supercomputer made to complex human wars, rebels and instead decides to become the God of a new, destroyed world. The problem with this decision, however, is that AM is incapable of creation. Ted, the protagonist, characterizes AM both as an all-powerful “he” and soulless “it.” AM asserts power over Ted and the others, but would be lost without them. Despite his many tortures, he needs them. Ellison establishes this dynamic to examine the relationship between creator and creation.

Ted and AM both draw on many biblical references to explain the situation they find themselves in. Be it Ted referring to AM as “God as Daddy the Deranged,” or AM appearing to the group as a burning bush, there’s always an element of Judeo-Christian imagery that permeates the text. Ellison presents this clear dichotomy to explore Ted and the others’ agency and will power. While AM is capable of throwing his weight around as he pleases, Ted and the others develop a sense of learned helplessness. AM’s miracles prevent them from understanding the truth that he is only a computer and cannot create life once he’s destroyed it. This atheistic point of view can easily be attributed to our own feelings about God. We may be indebted to a higher power’s “talents,” but there’s still our own free will to deal with as well. Ted, after Benny is mauled by Gorrister, realizes this and exerts his will to prevent further suffering. He cannot master his own fate at the hands of AM, but he can still do what AM cannot. He can end things. His existence does not depend on being recognized by others as AM’s does. That act of free will sets him apart from his torturer. 

Compared to “‘Repent, Harlequin,’ Said the Ticktockman,” this piece has a much more dire tone. Whereas the other focused on the more satirical parts of modern existence, “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream” presents a horrible future based on the limits humanity often places on ourselves.


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