51 pages • 1 hour read
E. M. ForsterThe Machine Stops
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1909A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Essay Topics
Throughout the story, the author capitalizes certain words and phrases. Why are these words and phrases significant? How do these words represent the values of the society in the story?
What is the role of religion in the story? What is the importance of a society that worships a machine?
If you had to condense Forster’s warnings to society into one idea, what would it be? Do you agree with this warning? Why or why not? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
Consider the way the story resonates with today’s current technological advances. Do you think that the world in the story could possibly come to pass? Why or why not? Use specific evidence from the story to support your answer.
Because the story is told from Vashti’s limited perspective, there are many unseen elements in the story, such as the people outside, the Central Committee, or the events of Kuno’s life after Vashti’s visit. Choose one of these elements and imagine its story. Use evidence from the text as a starting point.
Although the society in the story is undesirable, what are some of the benefits? What aspect of the society do you like? Why?
Based on the evidence in the story, do you think that the Machine is sentient? Why or why not? How does the answer to this question change the overall meaning of the story?
Related Titles
By E. M. Forster
