Learning Objectives
- Understand the theme of futuristic education versus traditional schooling
- Analyse the characters of Margie and Tommy
- Learn about the author and the genre of science fiction
- Identify literary devices and important vocabulary
- Reflect on the value of human interaction in education
Key Concepts
About the Story
Author: Isaac Asimov, a renowned Russian-American science fiction writer. The story was first published in 1951.
Genre: Science Fiction. The story is set in the year 2157.
Theme: The story contrasts futuristic mechanical/computerised education with the traditional school system involving human teachers and classmates. It highlights the importance of human interaction and community in learning.
Story Summary
The story is set in a future where children learn at home using mechanical teachers (computers) that are adjusted to suit each child's pace. Eleven-year-old Margie and thirteen-year-old Tommy find a real book made of paper — something rare in their time, as all books are digital. The book describes an old-fashioned school where children went to a special building, were taught by human teachers, and learned together in a classroom.
Margie is fascinated by the idea of children studying together, playing together, and having a human teacher. She hates her mechanical teacher, especially because it has been giving her too many geography tests (the geography sector had been geared too fast). A County Inspector comes and adjusts the mechanical teacher to Margie's level.
Tommy thinks the old kind of school was funny and considers old books as waste. But Margie is deeply attracted to the concept of a community school. As she returns to her schoolroom to study fractions on her mechanical teacher, she thinks about how much fun the children in the old days must have had, learning and laughing together.
Character Analysis
- Margie: Eleven years old. Curious, imaginative, and emotional. She dislikes her mechanical teacher and longs for the camaraderie of a traditional school. She represents the human desire for social connection.
- Tommy: Thirteen years old. More practical and less sentimental. He finds the concept of old schools amusing. He is dismissive of the old ways but is knowledgeable and shows Margie the book.
Key Contrasts in the Story
Future School: Learning at home, mechanical teacher, individual pace, no classmates, digital screens, impersonal.
Old School: Special building, human teacher, groups of children, paper books, social interaction, fun.
Literary Devices
The story uses irony — children in the future find old-fashioned schools fascinating while modern readers take them for granted. It also uses contrast between the two education systems and nostalgia for a simpler time.
Important Terms
- Mechanical teacher: A computer-based teaching machine in Margie's home
- Telebook: Digital text displayed on a screen
- County Inspector: An official who fixes and adjusts the mechanical teacher
- Crinkly: Having small folds or wrinkles (describing the old paper pages)
- Scornful: Showing contempt or disdain
- Nonchalantly: In a casually calm and relaxed manner
Quick Revision
- Author: Isaac Asimov; Set in the year 2157
- Margie and Tommy find an old printed book about schools of the past
- Future: mechanical teachers at home; Past: human teachers in school buildings
- Margie wishes she could attend the old kind of school with other children
- Theme: importance of human interaction and community in education
- Title "The Fun They Had" refers to the fun children had in old-fashioned schools