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The Fun They Had-Notes

The short story 'The Fun They Had' by Isaac Asimov explores the theme of education in a future where learning is entirely computerized, highlighting the lack of social interaction between students and teachers. Margie and Tommy, the main characters, experience mechanical teachers that provide a dull and mechanical learning process, leading Margie to dislike school and yearn for the fun of traditional classrooms. The narrative serves as a warning about the potential drawbacks of computerized education, emphasizing the importance of personal interactions in developing social skills.

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4 views2 pages

The Fun They Had-Notes

The short story 'The Fun They Had' by Isaac Asimov explores the theme of education in a future where learning is entirely computerized, highlighting the lack of social interaction between students and teachers. Margie and Tommy, the main characters, experience mechanical teachers that provide a dull and mechanical learning process, leading Margie to dislike school and yearn for the fun of traditional classrooms. The narrative serves as a warning about the potential drawbacks of computerized education, emphasizing the importance of personal interactions in developing social skills.

Uploaded by

blogworks123
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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STUDY MATERIAL 2025-26

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL-BOPAL, AHMEDABAD


CLASS: IX SUBJECT : ENGLISH
THE FUN THEY HAD

Theme and Message

The main theme in the short story “The Fun They Had” by Isaac Asimov is that of education.
More specifically, the narrative 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.

Answer the following

1. What kind of teachers did Margie and Tommy have?

A. Margie and Tommy had mechanical teachers. They were computers which had preloaded
lessons on different subjects according to the learner’s level. Whenever they malfunctioned,
they were opened and repaired.

2. Why was Margie doing badly in geography? What did the County Inspector do to help her

A. Margie was failing in the Geography tests as the teacher had developed a fault. The
County Inspector told Margie’s mother that Margie was not at fault. Her progress was good.
He reset the teacher to Margie’s level.

3. What had once happened to Tommy’s teacher?

A. Once Tommy’s teacher had developed a fault as the entire section on History had been
deleted. His teacher had been taken for repairs and it took them a month to set it right.

4. How does Tommy describe the old kind of school?

A. Tommy said that in the old kind of schools, there was a man teacher who told a few things
to the students, gave them home work and then asked them questions. The man teacher was
as knowledgeable as the machine teacher.

Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs (100 –150 words).

1. What are the main features of the mechanical teachers and the schoolrooms that Margie
and Tommy have in the story?
A. Margie and Tommy were taught by mechanical teachers. They had large black screens on
which the lessons appeared. The lessons were followed by questions. The students had to
insert homework and test papers in the slots provided. They had to write down the work in
punch code which they learned when they were six years old. The mechanical teacher
checked the papers and gave them marks within a few seconds. These classrooms were in the
student’s home itself. Every student studied from his respective mechanical teacher. Each
teacher was adjusted according to the level of the learner. They did not have classmates. They
studied various subjects like Geography, History and Mathematics. Margie studied everyday
at the same time except Saturdays and Sundays. Her mother said that she would learn better if
she studied that way. The learning process was mechanical, dull and boring for them.

2. Why did Margie hate school? Why did she think the old kind of school must have been
fun?

A. Margie hated school because it was not fun. There was a mechanical teacher and the
learning process lacked life. It was like a machine carrying out the usual working, there was
nothing new, no fun or laughter. Margie’s mechanical teacher was giving her tests in
Geography and she was performing bad at them. Later it was discovered that the teacher had
developed a fault due to which it was giving her tests of a higher level. Margie’s mother
called the County Inspector. He opened the teacher, found the fault and rectified it. Margie
disliked the teacher and hoped that he would not be able to repair it. She hated inserting the
homework and test papers into the slot provided.

She thought that the children in the past must have had a lot of fun when they went to school
with fellow children. She found it amazing that all the children studied together, the same
things and could discuss studies and help each other with the homework too. As the teachers
were people, they would not behave like machines. The human aspect of education in the past
made her feel that the school of the past were fun.

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