Fortitude (play)

Fortitude is a one-act play written by Kurt Vonnegut in 1968, and broadly based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The brief [19 page] play addresses the issues of robotics and the ethical dilemmas of cyborg's rights. It was featured in the anthologies, Human-Machines: An Anthology of Stories About Cyborgs (Edited by Thomas N. Scortia and George Zebrowski, New York: Vintage, 1975) and The Ultimate Frankenstein (edited by Byron Preiss, New York: Dell Publishing, 1991). The story was also featured in the 1991 made-for-cable-TV anthology Kurt Vonnegut's Monkey House.

Fortitude
Written by	Kurt Vonnegut
Based on	Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley
Original language	English
Subject	Robotics, Cyborg's rights
Genre	One-act play

Background

Kurt Vonnegut, known for his satirical and darkly humorous writing, often explored themes of technology, ethics, and the human condition. Fortitude was written during a period when Vonnegut was deeply concerned with the impact of scientific advancements on society. The play reflects his skepticism about the unchecked progress of technology and its potential to dehumanize individuals.

Themes

Fortitude delves into several significant themes:

• Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics: The play examines the moral implications of creating life through artificial means and the responsibilities of creators towards their creations.
• Cyborg Rights: It questions the rights of cyborgs and whether they should be treated as humans or machines.
• Depression and Autonomy: Sylvia Lovejoy's desire to end her life highlights the issues of autonomy and the right to die, especially for those who are severely disabled or reliant on technology for survival.

Synopsis

The story follows Dr. Elbert Little on a visit to Dr. Frankenstein's and his assistant Dr. Tom Swift's laboratory. Frankenstein's only patient and life work is Sylvia Lovejoy, who after some 70 operations has been reduced to a head on a tripod that is controlled by Frankenstein's machines. One of Sylvia's mood machines has malfunctioned, causing her to slip into a deep depression and to write Dr. Little to request that he provide her with cyanide. Seeing Sylvia's diminished emotional state getting worse, Gloria, Sylvia's beautician and only friend, agrees that Sylvia's only remaining freedom is "the power to commit suicide". Frankenstein fires Gloria for speaking about death in Sylvia's presence. Gloria sneaks back into Sylvia's room while she is sleeping and leaves her a revolver. Sylvia finds the gun and tries to kill herself, but her prosthetic arms have been designed to prevent her from doing so. Instead, she shoots Frankenstein, who promptly becomes the second head attached to the machines.

Reception

Upon its release, Fortitude was noted for its unique take on the Frankenstein mythos, blending Vonnegut's characteristic wit with a profound commentary on technological ethics. Critics praised the play for its thought-provoking themes and the way it challenged audiences to reconsider their perspectives on humanity and machine interaction.

Publication History

Fortitude was first published in Human-Machines: An Anthology of Stories About Cyborgs in 1975, edited by Thomas N. Scortia and George Zebrowski. It was later included in The Ultimate Frankenstein anthology in 1991, edited by Byron Preiss. The story was also adapted into a segment for the 1991 made-for-cable-TV anthology Kurt Vonnegut's Monkey House, bringing it to a broader audience.