Metropolis · Chapter
III explained
Freder descends into the machine hell of the New Tower of Babel, where he encounters the Paternoster machine and a worker named Georgi.
What happens
Freder descends into the machine hell of the New Tower of Babel, where he encounters the Paternoster machine and a worker named Georgi. Overhearing Georgi's twisted recitation of the Lord's Prayer, Freder is moved to exchange places with him, taking on the worker's uniform and post at the machine while sending Georgi to find Josaphat. As Freder stands at the lever, he experiences the dehumanizing terror of the machine and discovers a strange plan in the pocket of his new uniform.
Themes in this chapter
Dehumanization by Technology
The Paternoster machine reduces workers to automatons, with Georgi reciting a mechanized Lord's Prayer and Freder feeling the machine's 'sucker' bore into his brain.
Class Division and Exploitation
Freder, the son of the Master, exchanges his privileged life for a worker's uniform, directly confronting the exploitation of laborers in the machine hell.
Religious and Mythological Symbolism
The Paternoster machine is likened to Ganesha, and Georgi's twisted Lord's Prayer blends Christian liturgy with machine worship, highlighting the perversion of faith.
Characters to notice
- Freder
Descends to the machine hell, exchanges places with Georgi, and takes his post at the Paternoster machine.
- Slim
Enters Freder's home to question servants about his master's whereabouts.
- Georgi
Worker at the Paternoster machine, recites a distorted Lord's Prayer, collapses, and is sent by Freder to find Josaphat.
- Joh Fredersen
Referenced as the Master of Metropolis and father of Freder; his son takes his place at the machine.
- Josaphat
Mentioned as the man Georgi is sent to find at the Ninetieth Block.
Key passages
“Paternoster … that means, Our Father! … Our Father, which are in heaven! We are in hell. Our Father! … What is thy name? Art thou called Paternoster, Our Father? Or Joh Fredersen? Or machine? … Be hallowed by us, machine. Paternoster! … Thy kingdom come … Thy kingdom come, machine … Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven … What is thy will of us, machine, Paternoster?”
Georgi recites a distorted version of the Lord's Prayer, addressing the machine as if it were God, equating the industrial system with divine authority and hell with the factory floor.
Highlights the theme of religious symbolism twisted by technology and exploitation.
“We shall now exchange lives, Georgi. You take mine, I yours. I shall take your place at the machine. You go quietly out in my clothes.”
Freder proposes a role reversal with Georgi, offering his own identity and freedom in exchange for the worker's place at the machine.
Illustrates Freder's impulsive rebellion against class division and his empathy for the workers.