The Future of Family in Dystopia: E.M. Forster’s The Machine Stops and Liam Brown’s Skin

Abstract

This article explores the intersection of technology, dystopian settings and family dynamics through a comparative analysis of E.M. Forster’s The Machine Stops (1909) and Liam Brown’s Skin (2019). It investigates how both texts portray technology as a double-edged force, simultaneously enabling connection and accelerating alienation, especially within familial relationships. Forster’s early 20th-century vision anticipates the psychological and emotional costs of mechanized life, while Brown’s contemporary novel reflects the deep impact of digital overdependence during prolonged lockdowns. The study considers how the media, particularly digital screens, mediates communication and exacerbates isolation, turning technology into both a lifeline and a mechanism of control. Special attention is given to the roles of parenthood, especially motherhood, as a site of resistance and emotional endurance. Through the characters of Vashti, Angela, Kuno, Amber and Charlie, the article maps the emotional toll of confinement and surveillance, while also addressing issues of mental health, body image and identity in technologically saturated environments. By comparing narratives from distinct historical contexts, this work highlights the ongoing relevance of dystopian literature in interrogating our digital present and imagining future societal trajectories. The conclusion emphasizes the critical need for human connection amidst growing technological dominance.