# Mediation Between Brain and Muscle in Metropolis

> Theme guide for Metropolis by Thea von Harbou.

The central moral of the book, expressed in the preface, is that the mediator between the ruling class (brain) and the working class (muscle) must be the heart. This theme is explored through Freder's journey to understand and bridge the gap between his father's world of numbers and the suffering of the workers.

## Where it surfaces

- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/v): Freder, the son of the city's ruler, descends to the workers' world and seeks to understand their suffering, positioning himself as a mediator between the classes.
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xiii): Maria's original message of a mediator between brain and hands is perverted by Rotwang's false Maria.
- [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxiv): Maria explicitly calls Freder a mediator, asking him to help reconcile his father (the brain) and her brothers (the workers), highlighting the theme of mediation between classes.
- [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxv): Joh Fredersen expresses a desire to understand and love the masses, seeking to bridge the gap between the ruling class and the workers.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/themes/mediation_between_classes
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/themes