# Moxon's Master explained — Can Such Things Be?

> Chapter companion for Can Such Things Be? by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The narrator debates with Moxon about whether machines can think, leading to a philosophical discussion on consciousness and rhythm. Later, the narrator witnesses Moxon's chess-playing automaton violently strangle him during a game, and the house burns down. The narrator recovers in a hospital, learning of Moxon's death.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Mortality

The automaton's violent attack and Moxon's death highlight the deadly consequences of human creation.

### The Uncanny and the Grotesque

The automaton's human-like movements and its tranquil expression during murder evoke the uncanny.

### Identity and Self

The blurring of boundaries between human and machine questions the nature of consciousness and identity.

## Character check-ins

### Moxon

Inventor and philosopher who argues that machines think; killed by his own automaton.

### Haley

Moxon's confidential workman who rescues the narrator from the burning house.

## Key lines

> I do believe that a machine thinks about the work that it is doing.

Moxon asserts that machines possess consciousness regarding their tasks.

_Central to the philosophical debate in the chapter._

> Consciousness is the creature of Rhythm.

Consciousness arises from rhythmic motion.

_Key idea that the narrator later reflects on._

> I saw the horrible thing’s hands close upon his throat, his own clutch its wrists.

The automaton strangles Moxon as he tries to defend himself.

_Climactic violent event of the chapter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_such_things_be_se/chapters/moxon-s-master
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_such_things_be_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_such_things_be_se/chapters