The Fun They Had Theme | Class 9 | Beehive | Point wise | Deep Analysis

Take a closer look at “The Fun They Had,” based on the themes of Nostalgia. from your Class 9 English book, Beehive. We’re going to talk about the main idea this story in a simple way, breaking it down point wise. 
This post is for students who want to understand the story better and for teachers who are looking for ways to make this story clearer to their students. Let’s dive into what The Fun They Had theme is- 

The Exact theme of The Fun They Had

“Nostalgia for traditional education in a futuristic, technology-driven world.” 

OR

The Other Theme of The Fun They Had

“Missing the old ways of learning in a future with computers.”

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Here is the Justification of the theme that how the above theme is reflected in the chapter- 

In the chapter, The Fun They Had, the central character, Margie, found a very old book. After knowing how it was read she got interested in the old ways of studying old types of schools. She started hating her school full of technology and the technical individual lessons by a mechanical teacher. It indicates a theme of missing traditional, humanised ways of education from within a future ruled by isolated, technology-based learning.

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Quick Overview of the Chapter The Fun They Had

This story is set in the future when books and schools as we have now perhaps will not exist. Two students of that period about 150 years ago found a printed book. They are very surprised.

They talk about the schools and books of the old period. They compare those schools with those of their own which are situated in their homes and have mechanical teachers to teach them.

They find their own schools dull and boring. They think that it was a great fun to study in the schools of old times when all the kids of the area went there to learn the same thing from a man teacher. 

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Point Wise Themes of The Fun They Had

The themes observed in the chapter include:

1. Technology in Education: 

2. Nostalgia for Traditional Learning: 

3. Individualised Learning: 

4. Isolation in Learning: 

5. Resistance to Change: 

Here are the expanded themes with justifications and references to the main characters, Margie and Tommy:

1. Technology in Education: The story is set in a future where children like Margie and Tommy learn from mechanical teachers at home, not in traditional schools. This highlights the theme by showing a futuristic approach to education, relying on technology rather than human interaction.

2. Nostalgia for Traditional Learning: Margie found an old book. In her opinion, it was great that one could hold books in their hands and study with school friends. She imagined kids from all over the world playing and laughing while studying. This is so different from her study alone.

3. Individualised Learning: The mechanical teacher is adjusted specifically according to Margie’s learning speed. It indicates a personalised approach to education. This theme is highlighted when Margie’s mother mentions that the teacher must be adjusted to fit each child’s mind. 

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4. Isolation in Learning: Margie’s learning experience is solitary. Actually her lessons are delivered by a mechanical teacher in a room next to her bedroom. This isolation clearly shows her longing for the group learning environments of the past. It also shows how technology has led to a more isolated educational experience.

5. Resistance to Change: At first, Margie isn’t sure about the idea of having real people as teachers and learning in a group. She’s used to learning in a different way, with a robot teacher. When she talks with Tommy about how schools used to be, Margie has a hard time picturing a real person teaching like her robot teacher does.

The big ideas in the story come from the talks between Margie and Tommy and how they feel when they find an old book. This old book makes them think about their own learning with robots and how different it is from the old ways they read about in the book.

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Detailed Analysis of the theme of The Fun They Had

The story is based on the theme of the effects of extreme mechanisation and automation on the education system. By contrasting the schools of the present day with those expected to exist in the twenty-second century, the writer draws the conclusion that present-day schools are fun.

Futuristic schools will impart mere knowledge and the students will miss out on the fun they can have while going to the same school, studying the same things, adjusting with the same teacher and being able to help one another. This life experience is fun and will not be available to the students of fully computerised schools.