Metropolis

"Metropolis" by Thea von Harbou is a science fiction novel written in the late 1920s. The narrative is set in a futuristic urban landscape in the year 2026 A.D., exploring profound themes of class struggle, technology, and humanity's relationship with machinery. The story primarily follows Freder, the son of the city’s powerful ruler, as he grapples with his feelings for a mysterious woman who embodies the spirit of the oppressed working class. The opening of "Metropolis" immerses readers in a vividly described, chaotic world where Freder plays the grand organ amidst the cosmic dance of stars, overwhelmed by longing for an unknown girl. Soon, his idyllic existence is disrupted by a vision of laborers—a grim reminder of the human cost of the mechanical city. As he descends from his lofty workshop to encounter the stark realities of his father's industrial regime, Freder is thrust into a conflict of ideals, questioning the oppressive systems that fuel the metropolis. This complex interplay between man, machine, and society unfolds with rich symbolism, suggesting deep moral questions about progress and the sacrifices it demands. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Thea Gabriele von Harbou was a German screenwriter, novelist, film director, and actress. She is remembered as the screenwriter of the science fiction film classic Metropolis (1927) and for the 1925 novel on which it was based. von Harbou collaborated as a screenwriter with film director Fritz Lang, her husband, during the period of transition from silent to sound films.