Get notes, line-by-line explanation, summary, questions and answers, critical analysis, word meanings, extras, and pdf of the story The Great Automatic Grammatizator by Roald Dahl which is part of ISC Class 11 English (Prism). However, the notes should only be treated for references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
Summary
The story revolves around two main characters, Mr. Bohlen and Adolph Knipe. Mr. Bohlen is a wealthy businessman who has made his fortune in the electronics industry, while Knipe is a passionate but unsuccessful writer who works for Mr. Bohlen.
Knipe has spent the last ten years writing hundreds of short stories, but none of them have been accepted by magazines. He has studied the types of stories that different magazines tend to publish and believes that he can write stories that fit these types. However, his attempts have been unsuccessful.
Knipe comes up with an idea to build a machine that can write stories. He convinces Mr. Bohlen to fund the project, promising that it will be a profitable venture. The machine is designed to produce any type of story desired, simply by pressing the required button. It has an adjustable coordinator between the ‘plot-memory’ section and the ‘word-memory’ section, which allows it to produce any type of story.
After some initial hiccups, the machine starts producing stories that are accepted by magazines. They set up a literary agency to distribute the stories and invent names for the writers. The money starts pouring in, and Knipe slowly and carefully steps up the output. He also starts building up a dozen or more fictitious persons as promising young authors.
Mr. Bohlen, now eager for greater recognition in the literary world, insists that Knipe adapt the machine for writing novels. Knipe works on this and eventually creates a control system that allows the author to pre-select any type of plot and any style of writing. Mr. Bohlen is thrilled and starts writing a novel.
The story ends with Mr. Bohlen and Knipe enjoying success in the literary world, thanks to their story-writing machine. The machine has not only made them wealthy but also given them recognition as successful authors. However, the story also raises questions about the nature of creativity and the role of technology in art.
About the author
Roald Dahl was a famous British writer who wrote many children’s books. He was very popular and some people think he was the best children’s writer since Enid Blyton. When he was a child, his Norwegian mother would take him to Norway every year and tell him stories about trolls and witches. These stories had a big impact on him and he often included similar themes in his own books. His mother also encouraged him to read a lot and love literature.
Dahl was a pilot in the Royal Air Force, but he had to stop flying after he had a crash and got injured. He then moved to Washington and worked as an assistant air attaché. In 1942, a writer called C. S. Forester asked Dahl to tell him about his experiences in North Africa so he could write an article about it. But instead of just giving Forester some notes, Dahl wrote a whole story and got paid $900 for it. In 1943, he wrote his first children’s story called “The Gremlins.” Walt Disney was interested in turning this story into a movie. Dahl also wrote a lot of other stories that were published in magazines and newspapers. Some of these stories were later put together in a book that was published in 1946.
Dahl wrote a lot of books and stories, including poems and scripts. His work has been translated into 63 languages and he has sold over 200 million books all over the world. His books are full of nonsense, imagination, and creativity. He also wrote two autobiographies where he used his skills as a fiction writer.
Dahl’s short stories for adults are clever, funny, and original. They often end with a moral lesson, but it’s different from the lessons in his children’s stories. In his adult stories, people who are too greedy or who think too highly of themselves usually get what they deserve. One of his stories, ‘The Great Automatic Grammatizator’, is about a man named Adolph Knipe who invents a machine to write stories. Knipe is tired of getting his stories rejected by magazines, so he decides to use a computer to help him write more stories and increase his chances of getting published. The story is funny and entertaining.
Workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
(i) Knipe has contributed in making:
Answer: (c) an electronic calculating machine
(ii) Mr. John Bohlen is:
Answer: (c) head of the firm of electrical engineers
(iii) Which of the following statements is true:
Answer: (a) Adolf Knipe has small hands
(iv) Adolf Knipe knew that:
Answer: (b) a machine is incapable of original thought
(v) The rules of English grammar, Knipe thought:
Answer: (a) were strict
(vi) The fellow had ears as big as rhubarb leaves, these words are:
Answer: (b) said by Bohlen about Knipe
(vii) The stories written by Knipe are:
Answer: (b) sent to the magazines but they send them back to Knipe
(viii) Knipe tells Bohlen that in order to achieve success:
Answer: (c) it is necessary to produce the right stuff, at the right time
(ix) Knipe and Bohlen succeeded in getting the expected results with the use of machine:
Answer: (c) on the third attempt
(x) Which of the following statements is true:
Answer: (b) most of them agree
Logic-based questions
(i) The newly developed engine is considered extremely efficient in speed because ________
Answer: it can provide the correct answer in five seconds to a problem that would occupy a mathematician for a month. In three minutes, it can produce a calculation that by hand (if it were possible) would fill half a million sheets of foolscap paper.
(ii) Mr. John Bohlen asks the young engineer Adolf Knipe to go on holiday for a week because ________
Answer: he appeared depressed. He couldn’t stand up straight, was always drooping and untidy, with spots on his jacket, and hair falling all over his face.
(iii) Adolf Knipe did not like John Bohlen’s face because ________
Answer: of its tiny mouth and narrow purple-colored lips. He also found it unpleasant the way only the lower lip moved when Bohlen talked.
(iv) Mr. Bohlen tells Knipe that the idea is brilliant, yet he asks Knipe not to take it seriously because ________
Answer: he believed that there is no possible use case for that and no one wants a machine for writing stories. He also believed that there was no profitability in it, anyway.
(v) Adolf Knipe is not ready to forget his rejected stories because ________
Answer: he is convinced that they are good and compares them favourably to the content he sees in magazines. This conviction and his passion for writing make him unwilling to forget his rejected stories.
(vi) At first, Bohlen considers Knipe’s proposal unacceptable. But later he accepts it because ________
Answer: he was completely sold on the idea after a thorough discussion about it with Knipe and discovering potential solutions to existing challenges.
(vii) At first attempt to use the machine John Bohlen gets angry because ________
Answer: the story that was produced was gibberish, with words joined together and not making any sense.
(viii) Mr. Bohlen is worried about the creation of plots of stories by the automatic machine because ________
Answer: Mr. Bohlen was worried about the machine’s ability to create compelling and coherent plots.
(ix) According to Knipe the writers often use some obscue word into each story because ________
Answer: they want the reader to think that the writers are very wise and clever.
(x) The woman writer agrees to sign the contract because ________
Answer: she saw the machine-made stuff was better than her own.
Short answer questions
1. What does John Bohlen tell Knipe in the beginning of the story and how does this young engineer react?
Answer: In the beginning of the story, John Bohlen tells Knipe about his skepticism towards the success of their project, repeatedly stating, “It’ll never work.” Knipe, the young engineer, reacts with patience and optimism, assuring Bohlen that they only need to make some adjustments to their machine, which has over a million feet of wiring. He encourages Bohlen to be patient and continues to work on the machine until it functions correctly.
2. Describe the activities of the chief as observed by Knipe while sitting on the carpet.
Answer: While sitting on the carpet, Knipe watches the chief’s nervous fingers playing with a paperclip, unbending it and straightening out the hairpin curves. He also notices the man’s unpleasant mouth, with only the lower lip moving when he talks. Mr. Bohlen asks Knipe if anything is bothering him and suggests that he take a week’s holiday.
3. Explain Knipe’s thoughts and behaviour immediately after reaching his two room apartment.
Answer: After reaching his two-room apartment, Knipe pours himself a drink of whiskey and sits down in front of the typewriter on the table . He reflects on his meeting with Bohlen and acknowledges that Bohlen was right in his assessment of Knipe’s need for a holiday . However, Knipe is also frustrated with Bohlen’s dismissal of his idea for a machine that can write stories.
Knipe’s thoughts then turn to the half-finished sheet of typing still in the machine, which is headed “A Narrow Escape” . He takes a sip of whiskey and begins to read through the sheet, suggesting that he is seeking solace in his writing and using it as a means of escape from his frustrations.
4. How does the narrator describe Knipe’s feelings at the moment he took some whiskey and began saying, “To hell with ________.”
Answer: At the moment when Knipe takes a sip of whiskey and begins to say, “To hell with…,” the narrator describes his feelings as a mixture of bitterness and resentment towards Mr. John Bohlen and the great electrical computing machine. He is clearly unhappy with his current situation and feels that his contributions to the project have gone unrecognized. However, as he continues to drink, his mood begins to change.
5. How does he come to the conclusion that he can build an engine along the lines of the electric computer?
Answer: Knipe comes to the conclusion that he can build an engine along the lines of the electric computer by applying the same principles of the electric computer to language. He realizes that just as the electric computer uses pulses of electricity to solve mathematical problems, an engine built along the same lines could be adjusted to arrange words in their correct order according to the rules of grammar. He believes that if he can give the engine the verbs, nouns, adjectives, and pronouns, store them in the memory section as a vocabulary, and arrange for them to be extracted as required, then he can feed it with plots and leave it to write the sentences.
6. Discuss the way Knipe convinces Bohlen, to accept his proposal.
Answer: Knipe convinces Bohlen to accept his proposal by presenting a well-reasoned argument and demonstrating the effectiveness of his idea. Initially, Bohlen is dismissive of Knipe’s proposal, questioning its usefulness and profitability . However, Knipe remains calm and composed, and explains his idea in detail, highlighting its ingenuity and potential benefits .
Knipe also presents a physical demonstration of his idea, using the control panel to generate a story in real-time . This allows Bohlen to see the effectiveness of the machine firsthand, and he is impressed by the speed and efficiency with which the story is produced .
7. What does Knipe tell Bohlen about his stories?
Answer: Knipe tells Bohlen that he has written hundreds of short stories in the last ten years, approximately one a week. He also mentions that he has sent each story out to various magazines, but none of them have been accepted for publication. When Bohlen asks Knipe why he has written so many stories, Knipe replies that he has the creative urge.
8. How did the first writer react when he was approached to sign the contract?
Answer: When Knipe approached the first writer on his list with the lifetime contract offer, the writer listened politely, decided he was dealing with a lunatic, gave him a drink, and then firmly showed him to the door. The writer did not sign the contract.
9. Why, according to Knipe, the articles written by hand have no hope?
Answer: According to Knipe, the hand-made article hasn’t a hope because it can’t possibly compete with mass-production, especially in the country. He mentions that carpets, chairs, shoes, bricks, crockery, and anything you like to mention are all made by machinery now. The quality may be inferior, but that doesn’t matter. It’s the cost of production that counts. And stories—well—they’re just another product, like carpets and chairs, and no one cares how you produce them so long as you deliver the goods.
10. How does the narrator explain the feelings of Adolf Knipe and John Bohlen at the moment of completion of the machine?
Answer: The narrator describes the moment of completion of the machine as an exciting moment when the two men, Mr. Bohlen and Adolph Knipe, stood in the corridor before the control panel and got ready to run off the first story. All around them were walls dividing up into many small corridors, and the walls were covered with wiring and plugs and switches and huge glass valves. They were both nervous, Mr. Bohlen hopping from one foot to the other, quite unable to keep still.
Long answer questions
1. How does John Brohlen describe the efficiency of the automatic computing engine?
Answer: John Bohlen describes the efficiency of the automatic computing engine as probably the fastest electronic calculating machine in the world today. Its function is to satisfy the ever-increasing need of science, industry, and administration for rapid mathematical calculation which, in the past, by traditional methods, would have been physically impossible, or would have required more time than the problems justified. The speed with which the new engine works, said Mr John Bohlen, head of the firm of electrical engineers mainly responsible for its construction, may be grasped by the fact that it can provide the correct answer in five seconds to a problem that would occupy a mathematician for a month. In three minutes, it can produce a calculation that by hand (if it were possible) would fill half a million sheets of foolscap paper. The automatic computing engine uses pulses of electricity, generated at the rate of a million a second, to solve all calculations that resolve themselves into addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
2. Explain the feelings, thoughts and behaviour of Adolf Knipe after he reaches his apartment.
Answer: After Adolph Knipe reaches his apartment, he throws his coat on the sofa, pours himself a drink of whiskey, and sits down in front of the typewriter that was on the table. He thinks that Mr Bohlen was right, he needs a holiday. He thinks that he probably thought it was a woman whenever a young man gets depressed, everybody thinks it’s a woman. He leans forward and begins to read through the half-finished sheet of typing still in the machine. According to Knipe, the hand-made article hasn’t a hope because it can’t possibly compete with mass-production, especially in the country. He mentions that carpets, chairs, shoes, bricks, crockery, and anything you like to mention are all made by machinery now. The quality may be inferior, but that doesn’t matter. It’s the cost of production that counts. And stories—well—they’re just another product, like carpets and chairs, and no one cares how you produce them so long as you deliver the goods. Then, he takes a sip of whiskey, tasting the malty-bitter flavour, feeling the trickle of cold liquid as it travelled down his throat and settled in the top of his stomach, cool at first, then spreading and becoming warm, making a little area of warmness in the gut. To hell with Mr John Bohlen anyway. And to hell with the great electrical computing machine. To hell with… At exactly that moment, his eyes and mouth began slowly to open, in a sort of wonder, and slowly he raised his head and became still, absolutely motionless, gazing at the wall opposite with this look that was more perhaps of astonishment than of wonder, but quite fixed now, unmoving, and remaining thus for forty, fifty, sixty seconds. Then gradually (the head still motionless), a subtle change spreading over the face, astonishment becoming pleasure, very slight at first, only around the corners of the mouth, increasing gradually, spreading out until at last the whole face was open wide and shining with extreme delight. It was the first time Adolph Knipe had smiled in many, many months.
3. How did Adolf Knipe work for the development of the machine before he completed the papers and went to the office of John Bohlen Inc., electrical engineers?
Answer: Before completing the papers and going to the office of John Bohlen Inc., electrical engineers, Adolph Knipe worked on the development of the machine. He contributed to the original plans and had important ideas that were crucial to the project. In fact, Mr. Bohlen acknowledges that without Knipe and some of his ideas, the project might still be on the drawing-boards today. Knipe’s contribution to the machine’s development was significant, and his ideas played a key role in its progress.
4. Give a summary of the conversation that takes place between Knipe and Bohlen when Knipe explains the way the machine will function.
Answer: During the conversation between Adolph Knipe and Mr. Bohlen, Knipe explains the functioning of the machine he has developed. He expresses his enthusiasm and confidence in its capabilities, stating that he has proven it will work. However, Mr. Bohlen, while acknowledging the ingenuity and brilliance of the idea, questions its practicality and profitability. He asks Knipe what possible use the machine could have and where the money lies in it.
Knipe, feeling increasingly disliking towards Mr. Bohlen, requests permission to sit down and proceeds to explain how he came up with the idea. He begins by stating that he had been thinking about the problem of writing stories and how it could be automated. He mentions that the machine is not just for writing stories but can also be used for other purposes. Knipe explains that the machine uses pulses of electricity generated at a high rate to solve calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. He emphasizes the speed and efficiency of the machine, highlighting that it can provide the correct answer to a problem in just five seconds, which would take a mathematician a month to solve.
Mr. Bohlen listens to Knipe’s explanation, realizing that he needs to humor him a little. He observes Knipe closely, wondering what he will say next. Knipe continues to explain the potential applications of the machine, mentioning that it can be used in science, industry, and administration for rapid mathematical calculations that were previously impossible or time-consuming. He emphasizes that the machine’s speed and accuracy make it a valuable tool.
5. How does Knipe explain his project as a profit earning venture to Bohlen?
Answer: Adolph Knipe explains his project as a profit-earning venture to Mr. Bohlen by emphasizing the machine’s speed and efficiency. He mentions that the machine can solve mathematical problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in just five seconds, which would take a mathematician a month to solve. He emphasizes that the machine’s speed and accuracy make it a valuable tool that can be used in science, industry, and administration for rapid mathematical calculations that were previously impossible or time-consuming.
Knipe also mentions that the machine can be used to write stories and novels, which can be sold for profit. He explains that the machine can produce a large number of stories and novels in a short amount of time, which can be sold to publishers. He mentions that he has already started selling stories and has made a name for himself in literary circles as a prolific and successful writer. He also mentions that he has built up a dozen or more fictitious persons as promising young authors, which has helped him sell more stories.
6. Describe the way Knipe started using the machine for sending stories. How far did he succeed? How did Bohlen react to this?
Answer: Adolph Knipe started using the machine for sending stories by writing a few stories and then feeding them into the machine. He then made some adjustments to the machine’s settings and let it run. The machine produced a large number of stories in a short amount of time, which Knipe started selling to publishers. He slowly and carefully stepped up the output, and in six months’ time, he was delivering thirty stories a week, and selling about half.
Knipe’s success was significant, and he began to make a name for himself in literary circles as a prolific and successful writer. He built up a dozen or more fictitious persons as promising young authors, which helped him sell more stories. The money started pouring in, and Knipe’s success continued to grow.
However, Mr. Bohlen was not entirely pleased with Knipe’s success. While he acknowledged that the machine was a brilliant invention, he felt that Knipe was taking all the credit for it. He did not realize that Knipe was using the machine to write stories and novels and was building up a reputation as a successful writer. Mr. Bohlen was more interested in using the machine to write novels and gain greater honors in the literary world.
At this point, Mr. Bohlen insisted that Knipe adapt the machine for writing novels as well as stories. He wanted to do a novel and believed that a novel was the only thing that counted in the literary world. Knipe agreed to work on this prodigious task, but he cautioned Mr. Bohlen to be patient, as it was a very complicated adjustment he had to make.
7. How was the machine adapted to the writing of novels?
Answer: Adolph Knipe adapted the machine to the writing of novels by constructing a marvellous new control system that enabled the author to pre-select literally any type of plot and any style of writing he desired. He added so many dials and levers to the machine that it looked like the instrument panel of some enormous aeroplane.
Knipe’s genius allowed him to adapt the machine for novel writing within another couple of months. He constructed a new control system that allowed the author to pre-select the plot and style of writing they desired. The machine could now produce novels as well as stories, which was a significant development.
The machine’s new control system was complicated, and Knipe had to make many adjustments to get it to work correctly. He had to ensure that the machine could produce a coherent and well-written novel that would be acceptable to publishers and readers. He spent many long hours working on the machine, making adjustments and testing it until he was satisfied that it was ready to produce novels.
8. Bring out the elements of amusement in the story.
Answer: The story is filled with elements of amusement, many of which stem from the absurdity of the situation and the characters’ reactions to it. Here are some examples:
The constant skepticism of Mr. Bohlen, who repeatedly asserts that the machine will never work, only to be proven wrong each time, adds a touch of humor to the story.
The machine’s initial failures, such as producing a story with all the words joined together, provide comic relief. The characters’ reactions to these failures, particularly Mr. Bohlen’s panic and Knipe’s calm reassurances, further enhance the humour.
The idea of a machine producing stories that are accepted by publishers and even becoming popular under various pseudonyms is amusing in itself. The fact that Mr. Bohlen’s name is attached to a story that gets rejected, while Knipe’s stories are accepted, adds an ironic twist.
The characters’ ambition and their plans to exploit the machine for profit, including using famous writers’ names for advertising, are presented in a humorous light. The way Mr. Bohlen is enticed by the idea of becoming a respected writer, despite having no writing skills, is particularly amusing.
The scene where Mr. Bohlen attempts to write a novel using the machine is filled with comic elements. His panic and confusion, compared to a learner driver pressing hard on the pedals, and the resulting “fruity” novel, provide a good laugh.
The machine’s ability to mimic the “trick” of using long, obscure words to appear wise and clever is a humorous commentary on writing styles.
The way Knipe convinces Mr. Bohlen about the machine’s potential, with Mr. Bohlen initially being skeptical and then getting excited about the prospects, is amusing.
Additional questions and answers
1. Who is the author of the story?
Answer: The author of the story is Roald Dahl.
2. Who are the main characters in the story?
Answer: The main characters in the story are Mr. Bohlen and Adolph Knipe.
3. What is the profession of Adolph Knipe?
Answer: Adolph Knipe is a writer.
4. What does Mr. Bohlen want to write?
Answer: Mr. Bohlen wants to write a novel.
5. How many chapters does Mr. Bohlen want his novel to have?
Answer: Mr. Bohlen wants his novel to have fifteen chapters.
6. What is the main theme of the novel Mr. Bohlen wants to write?
Answer: The main theme of the novel Mr. Bohlen wants to write is the racial problem.
7 What is the machine capable of doing?
Answer: The machine is capable of writing any type of story or novel, depending on the settings chosen by the user. It has a complex control system that allows the user to pre-select any type of plot and any style of writing.
8. How does Mr. Bohlen feel about the stories produced by the machine?
Answer: Initially, Mr. Bohlen is skeptical about the machine’s capabilities. However, as the machine starts producing successful stories, he becomes more invested and wants to use it to write a high-class, intelligent book.
9. What is Adolph Knipe’s role in the story?
Answer: Adolph Knipe is the one who creates and operates the story-writing machine. He also manages the distribution of the stories and novels produced by the machine.
10. How successful is the machine in writing stories?
Answer: The machine is quite successful in writing stories. Within six months, it is delivering thirty stories a week and selling about half.
11. What is the machine’s output when it is adapted for writing novels?
Answer: When adapted for writing novels, the machine is capable of producing a novel with any type of plot and any style of writing, as determined by the user.
12. How does the machine work?
Answer: The machine works by having an adjustable co-ordinator between the ‘plot-memory’ section and the ‘word-memory’ section. This allows it to produce any type of story desired simply by pressing the required button. The plots are fed into the ‘plot-memory’ section of the machine. There are many other little refinements too. For example, there’s a trick that nearly every writer uses, of inserting at least one long, obscure word into each story. This makes the reader think that the man is very wise and clever. So the machine does the same thing. There’ll be a whole stack of long words stored away just for this purpose in the ‘word-memory’ section.
13. What is the significance of the machine’s “adjustable co-ordinator”?
Answer: The machine helps in the creation of stories by generating a story based on the selected magazine type. For instance, when the selector button marked READER’S DIGEST was pressed, the machine produced a story for that magazine. The story was there, but the words were joined together. After some adjustments, the machine was able to produce a story with perfect punctuation. The first story they ran off, for a famous women’s magazine, was a solid, plotty story of a boy who wanted to better himself with his rich employer.
The adjustable co-ordinator is significant because it allows the machine to produce any type of story desired simply by pressing the required button. This feature makes the machine versatile and adaptable to different types of stories, catering to the specific styles of various magazines.
14. What is the reaction of Mr. Bohlen when the machine works perfectly?
Answer: Mr. Bohlen’s reaction when the machine works perfectly is one of satisfaction and excitement. He agrees to set up a literary agency in an office downtown, and to put Knipe in charge. In a couple of weeks, this was accomplished. Then Knipe mailed out the first dozen stories.
15. How does the machine affect the career of Adolph Knipe and Mr. Bohlen?
Answer: The machine significantly affects the careers of Adolph Knipe and Mr. Bohlen. They set up a literary agency and distribute the stories produced by the machine under various invented names. Mr. Bohlen even considers putting his name on some of the better stories. The machine thus transforms them into successful writers, with their stories being accepted by enthusiastic publishers.
16. What is the business model proposed by Adolph Knipe for the stories generated by the machine?
Answer: The business model proposed by Adolph Knipe for the stories generated by the machine involves setting up a literary agency and distributing the stories through that. They would invent all the names they want for the writers. They also considered the potential for advertising, with companies willing to pay for famous writers to endorse their products. The stories would be sold at a price that would generate significant income.
17. How does the machine’s control system work for novel writing?
Answer: The machine’s control system for novel writing is a complex arrangement of dials and levers. It allows the author to pre-select any type of plot and any style of writing they desire. The system is so intricate that it resembles the instrument panel of an enormous airplane.
18. What is Mr. Bohlen’s reaction to the first novel produced by the machine?
Answer: Mr. Bohlen’s reaction to the first novel produced by the machine is one of shock and outrage. He finds the content of the novel revolting and refuses to put his name to it. He suspects that Knipe might be playing a trick on him.
19. How does the second attempt at novel writing go for Mr. Bohlen?
Answer: The second attempt at novel writing goes according to plan for Mr. Bohlen. The novel is read and accepted by an enthusiastic publisher within a week.
20. What is the reaction of the publisher to Mr. Bohlen’s novel?
Answer: The reaction of the publisher to Mr. Bohlen’s novel is positive. The manuscript is read and accepted by an enthusiastic publisher. The publisher’s response is so positive that it leads to the manuscript being accepted within a week of its submission.
21. How does the machine contribute to the literary world according to the story?
Answer: The machine contributes to the literary world by producing a high volume of stories and novels. It is capable of generating any type of story or novel, in any style, with any plot, and for any audience. The machine can produce stories for different magazines, each with its own particular type of story. This allows for a high degree of customization and adaptability in the literary output. The machine also allows for the creation of stories under various author names, real or invented, which can be distributed through a literary agency set up for this purpose.
22. What is the impact of the machine on the literary careers of its users?
Answer: The machine has a significant impact on the literary careers of its users. It allows them to produce a large volume of work in a short amount of time, leading to a high rate of story acceptance by publishers. The users can also build up their reputations in the literary world under their own names or under fictitious ones. However, the quality of the stories associated with each name can vary, leading to different levels of respect in the literary world.
23. How does the story explore the theme of technology’s impact on creativity and literature?
Answer: The story explores the theme of technology’s impact on creativity and literature in several ways:
Mechanization of Creativity: The story presents a machine that can generate stories and novels, thereby mechanizing the process of creativity. Adolph Knipe, an unsuccessful writer, invents this machine to produce stories that are readily accepted by publishers, suggesting that creativity can be replicated and mass-produced.
Commodification of Literature: The machine’s success leads to the commodification of literature. Mr. Bohlen and Knipe set up a literary agency to distribute the machine-produced stories under various invented names, treating literature as a product that can be mass-produced and sold.
Standardization of Content: The machine produces stories that fit the specific types preferred by different magazines, leading to a standardization of content. This reflects the impact of technology on the diversity and originality of creative works.
Impact on Perception of Creativity: The machine’s success affects the perception of human creativity. While the machine churns out successful stories, Knipe’s own stories, which are the product of his individual creativity, remain unsold. This suggests that in a market-driven context, the value of individual creativity may be overshadowed by the efficiency and profitability of technology.
Enhancement of Human Creativity: Despite the potential drawbacks, the story also suggests that technology can enhance human creativity. The machine enables Knipe to finally achieve success, suggesting that technology can be a powerful tool for amplifying human creativity.
Questioning the Value of Human Creativity: The story raises questions about the value of human creativity in a world dominated by technology. Despite the success of the machine, the value of human creativity is questioned, especially when Mr. Bohlen and Knipe start producing stories in a factory-like manner, reducing the creative process to a series of mechanical operations.
24. How does the story comment on the commercialization of literature?
Answer: The story comments on the commercialization of literature through the invention of a machine that can produce stories and novels. This machine, created by Adolph Knipe, is used to generate stories that are readily accepted by publishers, suggesting that literature can be replicated and mass-produced (page 4).
The machine’s success leads to the commodification of literature. Mr. Bohlen and Knipe set up a literary agency to distribute the machine-produced stories under various invented names, treating literature as a product that can be mass-produced and sold.
The story also highlights the tension between the individual creative process and the commercial demands of the market. Knipe, who has written hundreds of stories but failed to sell them, creates a machine that can churn out stories that are accepted by publishers. This suggests that the mass-produced content, which adheres to the formulaic expectations of the market, is more readily accepted than the unique, individual creations of a single author.
Moreover, the story suggests that the commercialization of literature can lead to a loss of originality and diversity in creative works. The machine produces stories that fit the specific types preferred by different magazines, resulting in a homogenization of content.
It raises questions about the value of human creativity in a world dominated by commercial interests. Despite the success of the machine, Knipe’s own stories, which are the product of his individual creativity, remain unsold. This suggests that in a market-driven context, the value of individual creativity may be overshadowed by the efficiency and profitability of mass production.
25. How does the relationship between Mr. Bohlen and Adolph Knipe evolve throughout the story?
Answer: The relationship between Mr. Bohlen and Adolph Knipe evolves significantly throughout the story. Initially, Mr. Bohlen is skeptical about the machine’s potential and often expresses doubt about its functionality. However, Knipe remains patient and persistent, assuring Mr. Bohlen that the machine will work with some adjustments.
As the machine starts producing satisfactory results, Mr. Bohlen’s skepticism begins to wane. He becomes more invested in the project and even agrees to set up a literary agency with Knipe in charge. This marks a significant shift in their relationship, with Mr. Bohlen now trusting Knipe’s judgment and expertise.
Despite some hiccups along the way, such as a novel that turns out more “fruity” than expected, their partnership continues to strengthen. They work together to produce more novels, with Mr. Bohlen even learning to operate the machine himself under Knipe’s guidance.
By the end of the story, Mr. Bohlen and Knipe have formed a successful partnership, with their machine churning out stories and novels that are accepted by publishers. The initial skepticism and tension have been replaced by mutual respect and a shared vision.
26. How does the story reflect on the nature of creativity and originality in the context of mass production?
Answer: The story reflects on the nature of creativity and originality in the context of mass production in several ways.
Firstly, it highlights the tension between the individual creative process and the mass production of content. Adolph Knipe, who has written hundreds of stories but failed to sell them, creates a machine that can churn out stories and novels that are accepted by publishers (page 4). This suggests that the mass-produced content, which adheres to the formulaic expectations of the market, is more readily accepted than the unique, individual creations of a single author.
Secondly, the story explores the idea of commodification of creativity. The machine is used to produce stories in a factory-like manner, reducing the creative process to a series of mechanical operations. This is seen when Mr. Bohlen and Knipe set up a literary agency and distribute the machine-produced stories under various invented names. This reflects a shift from viewing stories as unique creative works to seeing them as products that can be mass-produced and sold.
Thirdly, the story suggests that mass production can lead to a loss of originality and diversity in creative works. The machine produces stories that fit the specific types preferred by different magazines, resulting in a homogenization of content. This reflects the impact of mass production on the variety and originality of creative works.
Finally, the story raises questions about the value of human creativity in a world dominated by mass production. Despite the success of the machine, Knipe’s own stories, which are the product of his individual creativity, remain unsold. This suggests that in a market-driven context, the value of individual creativity may be overshadowed by the efficiency and profitability of mass production.
27. How does the machine’s success in producing stories and novels affect the perception of human creativity in the story?
Answer: The machine’s success in producing stories and novels significantly affects the perception of human creativity in the story. Initially, Mr. Bohlen is skeptical about the machine’s potential and even questions its ability to generate creative content. However, as the machine starts producing satisfactory results, his skepticism begins to wane. He becomes more invested in the project and even agrees to set up a literary agency to distribute the machine-produced stories under various invented names.
The machine’s success also highlights the tension between individual creativity and mass-produced content. Adolph Knipe, who has written hundreds of stories but failed to sell them, creates a machine that can churn out stories and novels that are accepted by publishers. This suggests that the mass-produced content, which adheres to the formulaic expectations of the market, is more readily accepted than the unique, individual creations of a single author.
Moreover, the machine’s success leads to a shift in the perception of creativity from being a unique human attribute to something that can be mechanized and mass-produced. This is seen when Mr. Bohlen and Knipe start producing stories in a factory-like manner, reducing the creative process to a series of mechanical operations.
28. What does the story suggest about the value of human creativity versus machine-generated content?
Answer: The story suggests a complex relationship between human creativity and machine-generated content. On one hand, the machine’s ability to produce stories that are readily accepted by publishers and the public suggests that there is a formulaic nature to successful storytelling that can be replicated by a machine. This is seen when the machine churns out stories that are accepted by publishers, leading to a successful business venture.
On the other hand, the story also highlights the potential loss of individuality and uniqueness in machine-generated content. The machine’s stories, while successful, are formulaic and lack the personal touch and unique perspective that a human author might bring. This is evident when Mr. Bohlen initially finds the machine’s stories to be “a bit sloppy”.
Moreover, the story suggests that the value of human creativity may be undermined by the success of machine-generated content. This is seen when Mr. Bohlen and Knipe start producing stories in a factory-like manner, reducing the creative process to a series of mechanical operations.
However, the story also hints at the potential for human creativity to be enhanced by technology. The machine, in this case, is a tool that enables Knipe, who has struggled to sell his stories, to finally achieve success. This suggests that technology can be a powerful tool for amplifying human creativity, even as it raises questions about the nature and value of creativity itself.
29. What is Mr. Bohlen’s ambition?
Answer: Mr. Bohlen’s ambition is to write a high-class, intelligent book using the machine. He wants to create something that will make people “sit up and take notice”.
30. How does the story end?
Answer: The story ends with the machine being adapted for novel writing and Mr. Bohlen expressing his desire to write a high-class, intelligent book.
Additional MCQs
1. Who is Adolph Knipe?
A. A writer B. A businessman C. A literary agent D. A scientist
Answer: C. A literary agent
2. What is the main invention discussed in the story?
A. A time machine B. A story-writing machine C. A teleportation device D. A mind-reading device
Answer: B. A story-writing machine
3. What does Mr. Bohlen initially think of the story-writing machine?
A. He is excited about it B. He is skeptical about it C. He is indifferent to it D. He is scared of it
Answer: B. He is skeptical about it
4. What is the main purpose of the story-writing machine?
A. To help writers overcome writer’s block B. To produce stories for magazines C. To teach creative writing D. To translate stories into different languages
Answer: B. To produce stories for magazines
5. How does Adolph Knipe propose to handle competition from other writers?
A. By improving the quality of their stories B. By lowering the price of their stories C. By buying out or squeezing out other writers D. By collaborating with other writers
Answer: C. By buying out or squeezing out other writers
6. What is the reaction of the first writer on Knipe’s list when he proposes his plan?
A. He is excited and immediately signs the contract B. He is skeptical and shows Knipe the door C. He is angry and attacks Knipe D. He is indifferent and ignores Knipe
Answer: B. He is skeptical and shows Knipe the door
7. What is the reaction of the second writer on Knipe’s list when he proposes his plan?
A. He is excited and immediately signs the contract B. He is skeptical and shows Knipe the door C. He is angry and attacks Knipe D. He is indifferent and ignores Knipe
Answer: C. He is angry and attacks Knipe
8. How does the female writer react to Knipe’s proposal?
A. She is excited and immediately signs the contract B. She is skeptical but agrees to visit the machine house C. She is angry and asks Knipe to leave D. She is indifferent and ignores Knipe
Answer: B. She is skeptical but agrees to visit the machine house
9. What does Knipe allow the female writer to do at the machine house?
A. Write a story using the machine B. Take the machine home for a trial period C. Modify the machine’s settings D. Dismantle the machine to understand how it works
Answer: A. Write a story using the machine
10. What does Knipe suggest to Mr. Bohlen after their agency becomes famous?
A. To expand their business internationally B. To absorb all other writers in the country C. To sell the story-writing machine D. To start a publishing house
Answer: B. To absorb all other writers in the country
11. How does Mr. Bohlen react to Knipe’s suggestion of absorbing all other writers in the country?
A. He immediately agrees B. He is skeptical but eventually agrees to try C. He flatly refuses D. He suggests an alternative plan
Answer: B. He is skeptical but eventually agrees to try
12. What does Knipe do to convince the writers to sign a lifetime contract?
A. He offers them a large sum of money B. He threatens them C. He promises them fame and recognition D. He offers them a partnership in the agency
Answer: A. He offers them a large sum of money
13. How does the very great and wonderful writer react to Knipe’s proposal?
A. He signs the contract immediately B. He politely listens but shows Knipe the door C. He attacks Knipe D. He ignores Knipe
Answer: B. He politely listens but shows Knipe the door
14. How does the second writer react to Knipe’s proposal?
A. He signs the contract immediately B. He politely listens but shows Knipe the door C. He attacks Knipe D. He ignores Knipe
Answer: C. He attacks Knipe
15. How does the female writer react when she sees the story-writing machine?
A. She is amazed and signs the contract B. She is skeptical but agrees to try the machine C. She is unimpressed and refuses the contract D. She ignores the machine and asks Knipe to leave
Answer: B. She is skeptical but agrees to try the machine
16. What does the female writer do at the machine house?
A. She writes a book using the machine B. She refuses to use the machine C. She criticizes the machine D. She tries to dismantle the machine
Answer: A. She writes a book using the machine
17. What is the main reason Knipe wants to use the names of famous writers?
A. To give credit to the original authors B. To avoid legal issues C. To attract more readers D. To pay homage to the writers
Answer: C. To attract more readers
18. What does Knipe do when a writer refuses to sign the contract?
A. He tries to convince them B. He threatens them C. He moves on to the next writer D. He offers them more money
Answer: C. He moves on to the next writer
19. What does Knipe think about the creative urge of writers?
A. He believes it is crucial for writing B. He thinks it is overrated C. He thinks it is a myth D. He believes it is the only reason writers write
Answer: C. He thinks it is a myth
20. How does Mr. Bohlen feel about putting his name on some of the stories?
A. He is excited about the idea B. He is indifferent to the idea C. He is against the idea D. He is skeptical but agrees to try
Answer: A. He is excited about the idea
21. What does Knipe think about the stories he has written?
A. He thinks they are good B. He thinks they are mediocre C. He thinks they are bad D. He is unsure about their quality
Answer: A. He thinks they are good
22. How does Mr. Bohlen feel about the stories produced by the machine?
A. He thinks they are good B. He thinks they are mediocre C. He thinks they are bad D. He is unsure about their quality
Answer: B. He thinks they are mediocre
23. What does Knipe do with the stories he has written?
A. He publishes them B. He sends them to magazines C. He keeps them for himself D. He discards them
Answer: B. He sends them to magazines
24. What does Knipe think about the stories published in magazines?
A. He thinks they are good B. He thinks they are mediocre C. He thinks they are bad D. He is unsure about their quality
Answer: C. He thinks they are bad
25. What does Knipe propose to do with the stories produced by the machine?
A. Publish them in a book B. Send them to magazines C. Sell them online D. Discard them
Answer: B. Send them to magazines
26. What does Knipe think is the main reason his stories are not published?
A. They are not good enough B. They do not fit the style of the magazines C. The magazines do not accept new writers D. The magazines are biased
Answer: B. They do not fit the style of the magazines
27. What does Knipe think about the creative urge of writers?
A. He thinks it is crucial for writing B. He thinks it is overrated C. He thinks it is a myth D. He believes it is the only reason writers write
Answer: C. He thinks it is a myth
28. What does Knipe do when a writer refuses to sign the contract?
A. He tries to convince them B. He threatens them C. He moves on to the next writer D. He offers them more money
Answer: C. He moves on to the next writer
29. What is the main reason Knipe wants to use the names of famous writers?
A. To give credit to the original authors B. To avoid legal issues C. To attract more readers D. To pay homage to the writers
Answer: C. To attract more readers
30. How does Mr. Bohlen feel about putting his name on some of the stories?
A. He is excited about the idea B. He is indifferent to the idea C. He is against the idea D. He is skeptical but agrees to try
Answer: A. He is excited about the idea
Fill in the blanks
1. Adolph Knipe and Mr. Bohlen set up a ________ to distribute the stories produced by the machine.
Answer: literary agency
2. The machine was initially designed to write ________, but was later adapted to write novels as well.
Answer: short stories
3. The machine had a ‘plot-memory’ section where ________ were fed into it.
Answer: plots
4. The machine had a ‘word-memory’ section where a stack of ________ words were stored for use in the stories.
Answer: long
5. Knipe’s plan to eliminate competition involved offering other writers a lifetime contract with pay, on the condition that they ________.
Answer: never write another word
6. The machine was capable of producing any type of story desired, simply by pressing the required ________.
Answer: button
7. The machine was housed in a ________ where it was kept and operated.
Answer: machine house
8. The machine was capable of producing a story for any magazine, including the ________.
Answer: READER’S DIGEST
9. Knipe was not only a talented inventor but also showed a knack for ________.
Answer: big business
10. The machine was capable of producing stories that were ________, depending on the settings chosen.
Answer: custom-made
11. The machine was capable of producing stories in any ________ of writing, depending on the settings chosen.
Answer: style
12. The machine was capable of producing stories with any ________ of plot, depending on the settings chosen.
Answer: type
13. Knipe had written hundreds of stories over the years, but they were all ________ by the magazines he sent them to.
Answer: rejected
14. Knipe believed that all writers, like everyone else, were really interested in ________.
Answer: money
15. Mr. Bohlen was initially skeptical about the machine, but was eventually ________ by its success.
Answer: mollified
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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