The Wild Robot Escapes

“‘I think the monster is harmless.’ ‘I think the monster is unnatural.’ I think the monster is moving!’”

The cows echo a motif in the previous novel when many of the island animals called Roz a monster. Roz’s intimidating size and appearance lead the cows to think she is dangerous, but once they meet her and learn of her kindness and helpfulness, they become her friends. The author uses this moment to emphasize the danger of judging someone by their appearance. Just because someone looks different does not mean they are dangerous.

“Now that he had a robot to do all the farmwork, he hardly ever left the house.”

Illustrating the dangers of automation and artificial intelligence, the author shows how humans can become detached from the natural world when machines do the bulk of the work. Mr. Shareef’s injury prevents him from doing the heavy manual labor on the farm, but he has lost touch with the joy of being outside on his land because he relies on robotic labor.

“Life must have been dark since their mother passed away.”

This moment is a turning point in Roz’s relationship with the children. At first, it appears they will exploit her for their amusement, but once Roz learns of the loss of their mother, it is clear the children need compassion and friendship. Roz weaves her life story into a fantastical tale that not only entertains the children but makes them feel less alone in their grief.

“Roz, you’re a farmer now, and sometimes farmers have to kill animals!”

When the wolves invade, Roz’s preprogrammed nonviolence conflicts with the immediate need to defend the farm and the cows. Mr. Shareef’s command delivers a painful truth about farming and humanity’s interaction with the natural world. Sometimes humans must make difficult choices when it comes to animals, and if killing one wolf saves an entire herd of cows, then it is the right choice. Roz finds a creative way around this scenario, using the rifle as a deterrent without firing a shot.

“Dark clouds started swirling and bulging downward, lower and lower, like a giant, twisting finger pointing at the countryside.”

The author uses personification to give the tornado human-like character traits. By giving the storm a pointing finger, it appears as if it is targeting Hilltop Farm for destruction, emphasizing the sentience of the natural world.

“If I’d known one of those machines would be the death of her…”

Mr. Shareef shares how machines helped him and his wife manage the farm but reveals that one of the machines is responsible for her death. The author leaves the reader hanging as to the details of the accident, but the moment introduces tension in the story between man and machine. The author reminds the reader of the problems that can come from using machines to do the work of people.

“No, Roz wanted to remember her old life […].”

Unlike humans, Roz can erase her memory of the island and give herself instant relief from her grief. However, she chooses not to forget her memories even though they cause her pain. This moment exemplifies Roz’s emotional intelligence and illustrates her divergence from other robots.

“Children care about others, and the world, and as Jaya and Jad gazed at Roz and Brightbill, their little hearts were full of compassion.”

Children are not always just mischievous or selfish. Oftentimes they can show more kindness and empathy than adults. Jaya and Jad do not think twice about helping their robot friend, especially after seeing Roz selflessly rescue Jad from the tornado.

“The robot lurched forward, then backward, again and again, as her computer brain struggled with all these thoughts and feelings.”

Roz is paralyzed by her preprogrammed devotion to the farm, but her conflict goes deeper than duty; she has come to love the Shareef children like her own. Ironically, the children must command her to run away, but the command serves also as their blessing. They do not want her to leave, but they know it is what is best for Roz and her family.

“You’re Roz and Brightbill? The birds have been singing about you for months! You’re living legends!”

Sprinkles the skunk welcomes Roz and Brightbill into her cabin to shelter from the storm. She explains the power of the goose communication network that has spread their story across the land. This passing of information from their allies aids Roz and Brightbill many times during their harrowing journey back to their home on the island.

“Misunderstood creatures like us gotta look out for each other!”

Sprinkles empathizes with Roz’s plight as a robot. Most people and animals fear skunks because of their ability to release a powerful stink. Sprinkles teaches Roz that skunks only spray when they are afraid and that they do not smell all the time.

“I believe those are your instincts, […] We all have them—they can be very powerful.”

Each time Roz encounters a new animal, she learns more about what it means to be wild. The ram on the mountain, while friendly and helpful, is still a wild animal with instincts he cannot ignore. He works hard to control his natural impulse to head-butt potential foes off the mountain in favor of helping Roz and Brightbill find their way home. This idea of self-control will be familiar to young readers who may also struggle with controlling their physical and emotional impulses.

“The robot backed into the ocean, up to her waist, and then automatically stopped. Her Survival Instincts wouldn’t let her go any farther.”

This moment echoes a scene in the first novel when Brightbill swims for the first time. When he runs into trouble in the water, Roz cannot help him because her preprogrammed instincts will not allow her to submerge in the water. The concept of Roz’s robotic “survival instincts” is ironic because what she needs to do to survive or help others survive runs contrary to her programming.

“Zoooooom!/Vrooooom!/Shooooom!”

The author uses onomatopoeia to convey the sounds of the bustling city. Using sensory detail allows the reader to feel like they are a part of the story. The noise of the city is a sharp contrast to the peaceful environments Roz to which is accustomed, like the island and Hilltop Farm.

“Some of the robots were perfect and new, but most had scrapes and dents. None more than ROZZUM unit 7134.”

Roz knows she is different from the other robots, but she does not fully understand her divergence. Her ragged appearance on the exterior represents the adventures and struggles she has endured. Roz does not hesitate to sacrifice her robot body to help others.

“The RECOs moved like machines. Their target moved like an animal.”

Through her time on the island and her escape from the farm, Roz has learned many survival skills from the natural world. Whether it be speaking the animal language, using the land as camouflage, or mimicking the movements of creatures, Roz’s abandonment of the stiff movement of robots helps her elude capture by the RECOs.

“You don’t have to pretend anymore, […] I know you’re not a normal robot.”

After months of working to fit into society’s conception of a robot, Roz can be her true self with Dr. Molovo. The message holds a symbolic meaning as Roz’s desire for acceptance and freedom is universal among humans. It is a profound relief for Roz—or any person—to be told they are free to be themselves.

“What is my purpose?”

As a service robot, Roz is preprogrammed to work for humans, but she has always longed for more. Since she began her life on a secluded island, she learned to serve others differently. At the farm, her preprogrammed instincts to work for humans help her fulfill her role but leave her wanting more. Her question to Dr. Molovo echoes the universal sentiment of searching for purpose and meaning in life.

“Click.”

The onomatopoetic word becomes a motif in both the previous novel and the sequel and Roz’s life story. The “click” refers to Roz’s power button located on the back of her head. It was first heard when the curious otters brought her to life for the first time and again when Mr. Shareef started her new life at Hilltop Farm. Now, symbolically Dr. Molovo turns Roz off as if she is “killing” her. The click sound symbolizes both life and death and the thin line that lies between both.

“If I am not ROZZUM unit 7134, who am I?”

When Roz is reborn in another body, she experiences an identity crisis. She is no longer a unit model replicated in countless other robots but a unique individual. Through Roz’s experience, Brown highlights the importance of expressing one’s individualism.

“Although Roz had a brand-new body, she had the same old mind, and most humans simply weren’t ready for an emotional, curious, wild robot.”

Roz’s story of personal acceptance has a happy ending, but the author acknowledges the sad truth of society’s unwillingness to accept those who are different, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence. Though Roz is a kind, compassionate entity, people will still judge her by her appearance and be uncomfortable with the idea of a robot exhibiting human emotions.

“The ocean was deep. However, scattered throughout the dark depths were shallow areas: sandbars, reefs, and islands just under the waves. In places, bizarre rock formations stuck up from the shallows. Or were they the ruins of old buildings?”

The author establishes that the story takes place in a near future timeline where climate change has altered the landscape. Roz sees landmasses and buildings presumably buried by rising ocean water. Throughout the series, Brown peppers in subtle hints of the devastating effects of climate change, but this moment is by far the most profound. It adds an air of mystery to the narrative and a hint of foreshadowing as the reader wonders if Roz’s beloved island is also in danger of climate disaster.

“The wild robot needed to be wilder.”

Roz’s use of camouflage is an important motif in both novels as she has employed the technique for both acceptance and survival in the natural world. This quote invokes the symbolism and irony in the title. Humans assume a “wild robot” has gone rogue or is defective in some way, but Roz’s version of wildness refers to her connection to the natural world and her love and affection for the creatures that live in it.