I must absolutely agree with you that Amelia was a pawn created to satisfy the doctor's pride. She actually didn't do anything wrong, as she was only doing as she was programmed to do. Maybe it's just that I feel that Alicia was perhaps a better programmed robot than Amelia. Alicia actually seemed to gain a certain humanity by the end of the story, whereas Amelia never had that chance due to the vengeful circumstances surrounding her creation. That is sad and disturbing.

There are all sorts of stories, ranging from "Pinnocchio" to Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" to Osamu Tezuka's "Astro Boy", to "2001, A Space Odyssey," that examine humankind's responsibility toward the creations it brings into this world. With the exception of Pinnocchio, the other three artificial intelligences listed above are initially cast out by their creators as abominations. But all of them must learn to survive in this world, despite being cast out. (Well, except for HAL in 2001, who becomes meglomaniacal and must be shut down.)

Robots serve many roles in literature, one of the most important being that of a mirror held up to humanity. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the journey of the robot in fiction is a compelling metaphor for the ethical, moral, and spiritual struggles we all must tackle in life--they are looking to their creator for answers, answers that are not necessarily forthcoming. The various ways they cope often reflect the various ways we cope. The robot is a more palateable way for us to view our own human weaknesses impartially. It is also a warning that we must bear all responsibility for the creations we bring into this world, so we should think carefully before we act.

Well, I've gotten a little stream-of-consciousness here, so I'll wrap it up. I guess I'm just trying to say that Amelia never becomes more than what she was created for, largely because she was created for the wrong reasons. She is a sad pawn created by a selfish "god", if you will----whereas Alicia does become "real" because of love. And that is an encouraging and beautiful message for us all.