Abstract 2 (practice)

1.) The Doane article discusses both the novel L'Eve future and film Metropolis as being the leaders of "cinematic representation[s] of mechanical women." Doane explains how these themes of womanhood and motherhood intersect with ideas of "artificial femininity." Doane then points out that cinema has been thought of as being a "prosthetic device" or an add on to the human body, especially when considering a person's perception.
The Bridges article discusses not only the correct definitions for cyborg and android, but the effects that these "automatons" have on a culture. Bridges speaks of how these mechanical creations created fears of "dehumanization of workers" while at the same time fascinating European nations. Bridges brings up many examples of these machines from the Talking Turk to the fully functional duck, including hoax information about a piano-playing girl. The bases of Bridges article is to explain how a mixture of gender and technology have impacted both literature and film.

2. Terms
imbrication - covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another (intricacy of structure)
automaton - A self-operating machine or mechanism, especially a robot.
Faustian - A magician and alchemist in German legend who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for power and knowledge.
transubstantiation - Conversion of one substance into another.
homunculus - An artificial man supposedly made by the alchemists
simulacrum - An image or representation.

3. Questions/Comments
a.) Why was Nathanael confused about whether or not his arms were twisted off when he was a child...since he obviously made it to adulthood with them still attached?
b.) How does Miss Clary ( a real person?) not have a soul? Why would he model his "perfect mechanical woman" after a person who didn't have a soul?
c.) Does Ewald understand that Hadaly is a machine? Is he in love with her when it says he has finally recognized "the compatibility of technology and desire"?

I don't understand how film or cinema can be seen as a "prosthetic" device. Sure it is a technological invention as her next sentence starts out, but it is not attached to a body replacing a part. Why do all these authors fear femininity so much? They make it seem like being a woman is monster, which I'll agree women can be pretty scary at times, but come on!? Also, I now want a fully functional mechanical duck.