Title: Lazarus

Author: Margaret St. Clair

Date of First Publication: October 1955

Place of Publication: Startling Stories

Type: Short Story

Characters: No Character

Themes: ANDROID; RACE/POLITICS; WOMEN WRITING MONSTERS; MAD SCIENTIST/MONSTER

Critical Summary: This short story follows a tour given by Mr. Fremden, a plant manager, to a group of women reporters. He leads them into the vat room where he then explains the process of manufacturing the artificial meat for the company named Juiciveal. As the story progress, the reader is made aware of the technological advances created in the artificial meat industry and just how competitive the market is. The editors are shown to be critical and inquire about the true nature behind the supply. When the end of the tour is approaching, Mr. Fremdon is frantic shown to usher the women out of the vat room. Large rumbles are heard and felt throughout the room, marking Mr. Fremden’s panic at the discovery of the truth behind the artificial meat: some Creature rises out only to fall back again into the production vat.

Like Mary Shelley, St. Clair questions the idea of what it means to be human. Showcasing her ideas through a feminist lens she has the female editors in the story serve as the conscious of Mr. Fremden when it comes to questioning the ethics behind the plant. Inquiring about the actual feelings and awareness of the artificial meat brings forth a topic worth discussing. Whether it is moral and justifiable to create life just to destroy it for profit.

Mr. Fremdon takes on the persona of Victor Frankenstein’s mad scientist. He is a man solely motivated by profitable results with no ethical boundaries to hold him back. It is not until he is faced with the consequences of his actions that he reflects on what he has done.

Unlike in Frankenstein, the creature’s appearance is only for a short time. However, his presence is felt throughout the entire story. Alluding to Lazarus of Bethany, St. Clair decides to connect the raising of Lazarus in her story as the creature makes his debut, arising from where it was previously thought impossible.

Administrative Notes: Beatriz Llamas, CSUF; Allison Archer (editing)