Maria (fictional gynoid)

The robot from the 1927 film Metropolis goes through a few names in both the novel and the film but the name that most remember her as is Maria. Her creator, Dr. Rotwang refers to her as a Machine Human created in the form of his dead wife Hel. It's only after the robot takes on the appearance of the human Maria that it starts to develop a personality of it's own. In the novel Dr. Rotwang refers to her as Futura; leading some fans to refer to her as Hel Maria Futura.

Biography
Futura (as the machine shall be referred to in this bio) is given 'life' by Dr. Rotwang who explains to Federson, the master of the City that Futura has been made in the image of Hel, Rotwangs former wife who left him for Federson. Rotwang's main plan is to have his robots replace the working class- and he takes Federson secretly to a meeting of workers where a school teacher, named Maria, is prophesying the coming of a mediator who will bring balance between the industrialist and the workers. Federson's own son is with them and this upsets him. After witnessing this Federson orders Rotwang to make Futura into the image of Maria as part of a conspiracy against the workers. They capture Maria and using a machine begin to transform Futura into Maria's double. Satisfied Federson leaves Rotwang; and Rotwang tells Futura his plans to have Feder killed as revenge against Federson for having taken Hel from Rotwang. It's mission becomes revenge on behalf of it's master and it uses it's influence to this end. At first on task it quickly becomes swept up by it's influence and starts a revolution against the industrialists- inciting the workers to destroy the machines that keep Metropolis alive and to march upon the tower. While at the same time indulging in the pleasures of the upper class; wanting to possess such a life as it's own. The riots cause the underground city of the workers to flood, and many of them believe their children to be dead. In response they blame Maria and capture her gynoid double and put her on a stake to burn. Her human appearance melts away as the fires rise revealing her true form. This opens Feder's eyes to the plot and he saves the real Maria and Dr. Rotwang is defeated and Feder fulfills the prophecy by bringing his father and the worker's leader together to cooperate on rebuilding the city. In the book the robot is torn apart by the mob.