The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov - Story Analysis
In "The Fun They Had" by Isaac Asimov, set in the future, 11-year-old Margie dislikes the mechanical school system. She learns about traditional schools from the past and longs for the communal learning experience. The narrative point of view is third person limited omniscient, focusing on Margie's thoughts and feelings. As the story unfolds, Margie's perspective on education shifts, highlighting the contrast between futuristic technology-driven learning and the human connection of traditional schooling.
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THE FUN THEY HAD ISAAC ASIMOV
EXPOSITION Characters Introduced Margie 11 years old (Main character) Tommy 13 (friend) Setting Future May 17, 2155 could be the source of the conflict in the story the way schools work in the future Conflict Margie hates school (person vs society school system)? She didn t do well in geography because the computer selected material for 11 year olds was too challenging. Mood Sad, sympathy for Margie Margie is annoyed, frustrated,irritated .
RISING ACTION Tommy finds a book about schools of the past Margie has not been doing well in Geography Her mother gets the County Inspector to check why Margie is struggling Meanwhile, Margie and Tommy discuss the schools of the past Margie is shocked to find out teachers were humans in the old days She also realized that the kids learned together in a school Margie has to go into the school room at her house
CLIMAX The inspector fixes the problem by slowing down the geography sector to average 10 year old level that s below Margie s age. But he says Margie s progress overall is quite satisfactory. Margie had hoped that the mechanical teacher would be taken away. Her mechanical teacher is fixed and Margie reluctantly goes into the school room next to her bedroom. The mechanical teacher is waiting for her the same time every day except Saturday and Sunday. Margie s conflict remains unresolved
FALLING ACTION Margie s math lesson is flashing on the screen. The computer asks for her homework and she submits it with a sigh.
RESOLUTION The story ends with Margie thinking about the advantages of the schools of the past. She thinks about the fun, groups of kids would have, at school in the old days. The reader and Margie realize that this type of school would work for her.
What is the narrative point of view of this selection? How do you know? Support your response with two (2) specific details. Hint: Is the narrotor a character in the story? The point of view of the story is third person limited omniscient through the eyes of Margie, the main character in the story. The narrator is outside the story and is not a character in the story. It isn't third person omniscient since we only know the thoughts and ideas of Margie. There is no mention of Tommy s thoughts, only actions. It isn t First Person, because Margie is not telling the story.
Describe how the kids (Margie, Tommy) are educated in this story? Use two (2) specific details from the story to support your response. Kids have a mechanical teacher (computer) that selects lessons, quizzes, and tests based on their abilities. Because school lessons are tailored (matched) to each individual student, kids have to learn alone. Kids are educated in their home
How does Margie feel about her education? Use two (2) specific details from the story to support your response. Margie hates the way her education is set up. She has a school room in her house and has to learn all alone. Margie realized that she preferred to learn through discussion with other kids. She liked the old school idea of a human teacher and the kids learning the same things at the same time. Kids could talk about the lessons and learn from each other.
Why does Margie think the schools of the past were more fun? Use two specific details from the story to support your response. She liked the idea of a human teacher and the kids learning the same things at the same time. Kids could talk about the lessons and learn from each other. She felt that schools of the old days would help her learn
Create a visual representation comparing the school in this story with schools of the past. Use colour, visuals, and other design elements. Use details from the story in your drawing. Show the main differences between each type of school. Use colour to enhance the mood of each scene.
Discuss the title of this story. Do you like it? Why? Why not? The title emphasizes the theme of the story. Many kids learn by interacting (talking, discussing) with others. Students don t always learn by the same way. Margie realized that she learned best when discussing things with others. Her discussion about the schools of the past with Tommy, helped her understand that she would benefit from learning in a classroom with other kids.
Identify and discuss a theme for this selection. Use three (3) specific details from the story to support your response. Possible themes: We need to be aware of the effects technology has on education. Human interaction is an important part of learning for most people. Modern education requires a balance between human interaction and technology. Supporting details: People learn by discussing ideas with others (classmates, teachers, parents, etc.) Margie is very unhappy that she has to learn her lessons all alone and she realizes that she would probably benefit from attending the schools of the past. Technology in the story is taking out the human part of school (talking with friends, having fun learning with others ) Even though learning in Margie s school is matched to the needs of individual students, there is no human interaction, for most people this would be a very lonely way to learn.
Previous Slide Contd The main theme in the short story The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov deals with the future of education which will become increasingly computerized and estranged from social interactions. The author s message is one of warning against the dangers of computerized homeschooling which deprives children of the benefits of the personal interactions between students and teachers, which help them develop social skills.
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