"The Stepford Wives (1975)"

Chapter 8

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Meeting Notes
Makers' Intent
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Computing Tech

Chapter 8: Computer Reliability

We've seen in the movie that the robots aren't necessarily the most reliable. Carol starts to malfunction a little bit after her car accident and then is presumably sent to be repaired afterwards. We can also her begin to malfunction after drinking alcohol at the pool party. Additionally, Bobby starts to malfunction after Joanna stabs her. However, it is clear that they can be repaired, as is implied with Carol, and potentially even replaced if necessary. Though their malfunctions are quite mild (after all, they mostly just repeat phrases and actions), it does beg the question of what happens if they malfunction around their children, especially if it's in a way that causes harm. The reliability of them can certainly be called into question, especially when considering the inherent bias in the way they were created. They were made to be docile and subservient to represent what these men viewed as the "ideal housewife."