Answer: Religious/Pessimism
Explanation:
Since their creation, humans have always had a natural inclination for invention, For instance, utilising stones, they created tools and weapons to increase their efficiency and survival chances. However, humans could have still survived without their inventions such as the wheel and the engine, albeit with a lower quality of life. In, “The Flying Machine,” by Ray Bradbury, new inventions are condemned because they could potentially be used in violence or crime. Emperor Yuan believes that if a civilization functions adequately, new inventions risk the safety of its people unnecessarily.
Emperor Yuan only finds existing natural phenomena and ancient man-made creations miraculous and necessary. Initially, when his servant informs him of a miracle, he assumes that it is the sweet air. In the early morning, “A servant ran across… calling, ‘Oh Emperor, Emperor, a miracle! ’ ‘Yes,’ said the Emperor, ‘the air is sweet this morning’” (Bradbury 1). Emperor Yuan believes that since his kingdom is running smoothly, no more miracles are needed. At the mention of miracles, he assumes it could only be a natural occurrence.
Secondly, Emperor Yuan believes that the finest of all miracles is the repetition of ordinary daily occurrences and he cannot understand how the miracle his servant is speaking of could be something different. After his servant differs from his suggestion of the sweet air being the miracle, he says, “Let me guess – the sun has risen and a new day is upon us. Or the sea is blue. That now is the finest of all miracles” (1). He believes that if his kingdom is functional, it is perfect, and he religiously admires the stable repetition of the sea and sun.
Finally, Emperor Yuan greatly admires the ancient Great Wall of China and appreciates its role in the protection and stability of his own kingdom. Looking at the Great Wall, he describes, “… now taking shape out of the farthest mist in the green hills, that splendid snake of stones which writhed with majesty across the entire land. That wonderful wall which had protected them… ” (2). The Great Wall serves the definitive purpose of protecting China and ensuring the current peace.
Since it helps keep his kingdom stable and out of danger without changing and risking the day-to-day lives of his subjects, he admires it. The Emperor believes that only pre-existing creations with clear purposes and essential resources are important. Emperor Yuan worries about the negative repercussions of the ‘flying machine’, than positive possibilities. Firstly, Emperor Yuan punishes the inventor of the ‘flying machine’ when he does not have an explanation of what he had created it for.
He announces to the private party assembled, “Here is the man who has made a certain machine… and yet asks us what he has created. He does not know it himself. It is only necessary that he create without knowing why he has done so or what this thing will do” (3). Although the ‘flying machine’ had groundbreaking potential, when the inventor does not have a clear purpose for his machine, the Emperor believes he is purposely trying to shake up their lives. Secondly, he is pessimistic that the ‘flying machine’ could be used against him.
Sadly, he says, “Who is to say that some day just such a man, in just such an apparatus of reed and paper might not fly in the sky and drop huge stones upon the Great Wall of China? ”(4) In the Emperor’s mind, his pessimism shields his subjects and the environment against any danger. However, it also prevents him from understanding that the machine could help the people progressively. Cumulatively, the dangerous scenarios from Yuan’s imagination scare him into burning the flying machine in an attempt to destroy any evidence of such a potentially powerful machine.
“‘Hold your tongue. It was all a dream…If ever word passes around, you and the farmer die within the hour…He saw the guards burning the beautiful machine of paper and reeds…’” (5). He is nervous about the knowledge of the ‘flying machine’ existing and causing his subjects to challenge their current lifestyle and for fear of risking his throne and the safety of his kingdom; he burns the creation and its inventor. Emperor Yuan is unable to utilize the ‘flying machine’ for all of its potential, because he cannot see the possibility behind the risk.
Emperor Yuan’s intention to suppress new inventions is to prevent lifestyle revolutions within his kingdom and reduce the possibility of an enemy attack. Inadvertently, he also suppresses all possibilities of advancement in their quality of life. The Emperor believes that all important miracles have already arrived through nature and ancient technology since they are surviving sufficiently with what they have. Unfortunately, Emperor Yuan’s reign leaves his kingdom unable to adapt to any new situations they will face, because they have only ever lived in stability, without risk or progress.
