The narrative is replete with dialogue and repartee. Throughout the story the Earthmen, Powell and Donovan are engaged in a dialogue with the robot Cutie. The language is crisp and conversational with arguments balanced against eachother as in a debate-the relative merits of humans and robots are weighed leading to moments that are witty, pitiable or humorous. Donovan's speech is full of alliterative phrases like 'chromium cranium', 'metal mess', 'brass baboon' and 'Sizzling Saturn' evoking caricatures of the robot. The equipoise and calm nature of POwell is well contrasted with the mercurial and irate nature of Donovan. Sympathy for Cutie is evoked with patient humour at the attempts of Cutie to learn about his world. The actual threat posed by electron storm and an intractable robot is foreboding but vaguely looms at the fringes of the narrative. Donovan's threats convey the urgency of the situation where a crisis is imminent but Powell's composure is reassuring as it emphasises trhe human ability to deal with any eventuality. There is a cue that a robot cannot be treated as 'slave' any longer and a mature managerial style is needed to handle an intelligent machine.The three laws of robotics: First, no harm to humans; second, Obedience; and third, choosing human life over robot existence control and program even the most intelligent and sophisticated machines making human authority ultimately infallible.
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