# VI explained — Metropolis

> Chapter companion for Metropolis by Thea von Harbou.

## What happens

Slim witnesses a man in a Maohee-induced trance at Yoshiwara, who believes himself a machine and forces others to worship him. Slim stops the man by calling out a number, then rescues him. At a medical depot, the man is identified as Georgi, who reveals that Freder Joh Fredersen's son exchanged clothes with him and instructed him to wait at a specific address. Slim leaves, troubled by the encounter.

## Themes in this chapter

### Dehumanization by Technology

Georgi's trance, where he believes himself a machine and forces others to worship him, illustrates the dehumanizing fusion of human and machine.

### Class Division and Exploitation

The contrast between Georgi's tattered white silk (symbol of the elite) and his exploited state highlights class divisions.

## Character check-ins

### Slim

Witnesses the Maohee-induced frenzy, rescues Georgi, and learns of Freder's involvement.

### Georgi

Found in a trance at Yoshiwara, wearing Freder's clothes; reveals Freder exchanged clothes with him.

### Freder

Mentioned as Joh Fredersen's son who exchanged clothes with Georgi.

### Joh Fredersen

Mentioned as Freder's father.

## Key lines

> I am the Three-in-one—Lucifer—Belial—Satan—! I am the everlasting Death! I am the everlasting Noway! Come unto me—! In my hell there are many mansions! I shall assign them to you! I am the great king of all the damned—! I am a machine!

Georgi, in his drug-induced frenzy, declares himself a demonic trinity and a machine, claiming to rule over a hell of his own making.

_This speech encapsulates the theme of dehumanization and the loss of identity under the influence of Maohee._

> He changed with me … Freder … Joh Fredersen's son …

Georgi reveals that Freder exchanged clothes with him, leading to Georgi's current state.

_This key revelation connects Georgi's plight to Freder's earlier actions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metropolis_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metropolis_se/chapters