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Today, you will work in groups with AI as a tool to analyze, explain, and expand your knowledge of the story. Each group will choose one topic to explore.

1. Choose ONE topic:

Man in the Measure → This means looking at how the story portrays human beings as the central measure of value and meaning, in contrast to technology. How does the Machine change humanity’s role? What happens when humans lose their independence?

Religion in the Story → How is the Machine treated as an object of faith or worship? What parallels can we draw with organized religion?

The Setting in the Story → Describe the physical and social environment in Part II. How does the underground world shape the characters’ lives, choices, and ways of thinking?

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We are Literature II students studying The Machine Stops by E. M. Forster (Part II – The Mending Apparatus).

Our chosen topic is: [INSERT YOUR TOPIC].

Please help us:

1. Explain the topic in the context of Part II.

2. Give us at least two key passages or moments that connect with this theme.

3. Suggest questions we can discuss as a group.

4. Provide a short summary (5–7 sentences) we can use to share with the class.

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Students:

Luna Jesús

Monteros Candela

Vázquez Francisco

Ruiz Clever

1. Explain the topic in the context of Part II

In Part II, the setting is the underground world where humanity lives entirely dependent on the Machine. The physical environment is artificial, with small hexagonal rooms, artificial air, and everything controlled by the Machine. Socially, people are isolated, communicating only through screens, and they avoid direct physical contact or nature. This environment shapes the characters’ lives by limiting their independence, making them passive, and causing them to accept the Machine’s failures as part of life rather than questioning them.

2. Two key passages/moments that connect with this theme

• The Mending Apparatus’ failure: When the Machine begins to break down, people notice malfunctions but continue to trust it blindly. This shows how the environment has conditioned them to surrender their critical thinking.

• Isolation of individuals: Vashti feels uncomfortable when Kuno talks about the real world above. The setting has made people fear natural elements like air, sunlight, and direct human contact.

3. Suggested discussion questions

• How does living in a fully artificial environment affect people’s ability to think critically?

• Why do the characters accept the Machine’s failures instead of resisting?

• In what ways does the underground world reflect aspects of modern society (technology dependence, isolation)?

• Could humans adapt back to the surface if the Machine stopped working?

4. Short summary (5–7 sentences)

In Part II, “The Mending Apparatus,” the underground setting becomes even more central to the story. People live in small, identical rooms, completely dependent on the Machine for survival. Social interaction is limited to screens, and the natural world is considered dangerous and irrelevant. When the Machine begins to fail, society responds with passivity, showing how the environment has shaped them into obedient and dependent beings. The underground world prevents individuality, discourages direct experience, and enforces conformity. This setting reveals how a controlled environment can shape not only people’s daily lives but also their ways of thinking and behaving.

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Religion in "The Machine Stops" (Part II - The Mending Apparatus) by Gemini

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Religion in "The Machine Stops" (Part II - The Mending Apparatus) by Gemini

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In Part II, the story solidifies the idea that the Machine has evolved from a tool into an object of worship, a surrogate religion for a humanity that has forgotten its past. This section's title, "The Mending Apparatus," is a powerful metaphor. The "mending" is not just for the physical machine but also for the flawed beliefs of its inhabitants. Kuno, who has seen the outside world, is the heretic who challenges this faith, while his mother, Vashti, is a devout believer. The breakdown of the Mending Apparatus foreshadows the collapse of their entire belief system. The residents' blind faith in the Machine's perfection leads them to accept its flaws as sacred, a form of religious devotion that ultimately proves fatal.

Key Passages and Moments

1. Kuno's Accusation:

When Kuno reveals he escaped to the surface, Vashti is horrified. He says to her, "You are beginning to worship the Machine." She denies it, claiming "there is no such thing as religion left." This exchange is a central moment in Part II, directly confronting the theme. It shows how the belief system is so ingrained that its adherents don't even recognize it as a religion.

2. The New Rituals:

The story describes how the "Book of the Machine" evolved. The simple phrase "The Machine... feeds us and clothes us and houses us" is eventually "printed on the first page of the Book, and in subsequent editions the ritual swelled into a complicated system of praise and prayer." This passage, while briefly mentioned in Part II, is key to understanding how a practical system was transformed into a divine entity.

Discussion Questions

* How does the title "The Mending Apparatus" relate to the theme of religion? What is being "mended" or failing to be "mended"?

* Compare and contrast Kuno's experience of the outside world with Vashti's faith in the Machine. How does Kuno's physical journey challenge his mother's spiritual beliefs?

* In what ways is the "Book of the Machine" similar to or different from traditional religious texts?

* Do you think the people of the Machine truly have "no such thing as religion left," as Vashti claims? Why or why not?

Short Summary

The theme of religion is central to "The Machine Stops", particularly in Part II. The story depicts a society that has come to worship its technology, the Machine, as a god. Humanity, having lost its connection to nature and each other, has transferred its spiritual needs onto the mechanical system that provides for their every need. This faith is tested when Kuno, a heretic in this new world, reveals he has escaped to the outside world. His mother, Vashti, represents the unquestioning faith of the masses. The breakdown of the Machine's Mending Apparatus is a symbol of their crumbling religious beliefs, showing that their blind devotion has left them unable to cope with an imperfect and failing system.

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Students:

Jesus Luna

Candela Montero

Clever Ruiz

Francisco Vázquez

The underground world in The Machine Stops is a highly controlled, sterile environment that dictates every aspect of the characters' existence, from their physical health to their intellectual and social interactions. In Part II, the setting reinforces the story's central themes of technology's dehumanizing effects and the loss of individual autonomy. The Machine provides for all needs, eliminating the need for physical labor, personal contact, or independent thought. This creates a society where people are physically weak, intellectually isolated, and emotionally detached from reality.

1. The Setting's Influence

In Part II of The Machine Stops, the physical and social environment is entirely subterranean and governed by the omnipotent Machine. Physically, the world is a sterile honeycomb of identical cells, or "cubicles," where inhabitants live in complete isolation. The air is filtered, food is synthesized, and all communication is mediated through the Machine's network. This environment has rendered the inhabitants physically weak and dependent, with characters like Vashti and Kuno suffering from ailments caused by a lack of physical exertion and natural stimuli. The social environment is equally insular. Interactions are limited to "speaking tubes" and "listening to lectures," and physical contact is a rarity and often considered obscene. The Machine's influence has fostered a culture of conformity and intellectual laziness. People value lectures and "ideas" that are pre-approved by the Machine, dismissing direct experience and observation as irrelevant or even dangerous.

2. Key Passages and Moments

Kuno's Physical Journey: Kuno's attempt to reach the surface, described in Part II, is a key moment. He recounts his struggle to get out, stating, "My feet were sore with climbing, and I was weary with battling the wind. The dust choked me, and the sun was blinding." This passage highlights how the underground world has made the inhabitants physically unsuited for a natural environment. Kuno's journey represents a desperate rebellion against the Machine's physical and psychological control.

Vashti's Description of Her Cubicle: Vashti's cubicle is described as her entire universe, a space where "Everything was provided for her by the Machine, even her thoughts." She has no need to leave, as all her wants—food, music, information—are met by pressing buttons. This passage encapsulates the physical and psychological confinement of the setting. It illustrates how the environment has made characters completely passive and reliant, unable to conceive of a world beyond their technological bubble. .

3. Discussion Questions

How would our lives change if we lived in a society where all physical needs were met by technology, and direct human interaction was rare? 🤔

Does the dependence on the Machine in the story reflect any aspects of our current reliance on technology? If so, what are some similarities and differences?

The Machine provides all "ideas" and information. What is the danger of a society where critical thinking is replaced by a stream of pre-approved content?

4. Summary for Class

In Part II of The Machine Stops, the setting is a stark, underground world managed entirely by a global Machine. This sterile environment dictates the physical and social lives of its inhabitants, who live in isolation and are physically weak due to their dependence on technology. The Machine provides for all their needs, from food to communication, eliminating the need for direct human contact or personal effort. This dependence has led to a society that values conformity and intellectual laziness, where people are disconnected from nature and from each other. Kuno's journey to the surface and Vashti's contentment in her cubicle both demonstrate how this physical and social environment has shaped the characters' lives and beliefs.

Gemini

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1. Religion in the Context of Part II

In Part II, The Mending Apparatus, Forster explores how the Machine has become more than a tool—it has taken on the role of a religion for humanity. People no longer see it as something they built, but as something sacred and unquestionable.

Blind faith: People trust the Machine to provide everything: food, housing, knowledge, and even meaning in life.

Rituals: Their “prayers” are the repeated “apologies” to the Machine when they feel doubt or frustration.

Priesthood: The “Mending Apparatus” works like a religious institution—supposedly all-powerful, fixing the Machine without anyone really understanding how.

Idolatry: Just as religions warn against false gods, here the Machine has replaced God. It is worshiped, feared, and treated as eternal truth.

Thus, in Part II, Forster criticizes how people can let technology and institutions become religions, demanding obedience rather than thought.

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2. Key Passages / Moments

🔑 Passage 1 – Faith in the Mending Apparatus

> “There were some who believed that the Mending Apparatus did not exist. They said that the Mending Apparatus was a myth, and that the Machine itself did all the repairs.”

This shows how belief about the Machine mirrors religious debates. Some think of a hidden force (like a god), others deny it, but either way, faith replaces knowledge.

🔑 Passage 2 – The Machine as Sacred

> “The Machine was no longer prayed to, but they had forgotten that the prayers had ever been necessary; and the Machine, to them, was God.”

Here Forster makes it explicit: the Machine has become God. The old habit of prayer is gone, but the blind worship remains, showing how faith can survive even without conscious rituals.

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3. Questions for Group Discussion

Do you think Forster is warning against religion itself, or against how humans replace critical thinking with blind faith (whether in religion, science, or technology)?

How is the Machine as religion similar to real-world religions (rituals, priesthood, unquestionable laws)? How is it different?

What role does fear of questioning play in maintaining this “religion of the Machine”?

Can you think of examples today (social media, AI, consumerism) where technology is treated almost like a religion?

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4. Short Summary for Class

In Part II of The Machine Stops, Forster shows how humanity’s relationship with the Machine has turned into a kind of religion. People worship it as if it were God, following its rules blindly and apologizing when they doubt it. The mysterious “Mending Apparatus” serves as a symbol of faith in something unseen, like a religious myth. Forster critiques this blind devotion, warning us about the dangers of letting technology or institutions become unquestionable objects of worship.

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“Man is the measure” in Part II

The phrase comes from the Greek philosopher *Protagoras: *“Man is the measure of all things.”* It suggests that human beings—not machines, gods, or abstract systems—are the standard for truth, value, and meaning.

In Part II of *The Machine Stops*, this idea appears in contrast to the society’s dependence on the Machine. People no longer trust their own senses or strength; they rely on the Machine to think, breathe, and act for them. Kuno resists this by insisting that life must be measured by human experience—touch, sight, freedom—not by the Machine’s rules. In other words, Kuno is defending the idea that man (and human experience) should be the measure of existence, not technology.

Key passages/moments

Here are two strong connections:

* *Kuno’s confession about escaping:*

> “I have seen the hills of Wessex as Alfred saw them when he overthrew the Danes. \[...] Man is the measure.”

> This moment shows that Kuno believes real life is outside the Machine, in direct contact with nature, as humans once lived.

* The story of the homeless people:

Kuno describes seeing people living without the Machine, who survive in the “true air.” The Committee denies their existence, but Kuno’s discovery proves that human beings can still endure without artificial support. This reinforces the theme that life is measured by human resilience, not the Machine’s judgment.

Discussion questions

* Do you think Forster is warning us about technology replacing human experience? Why or why not?

* In what ways does Kuno’s rebellion prove “man is the measure” of reality?

* Why does the Committee ignore the existence of the homeless? What does this say about truth and power?

* Can we find modern examples where people let technology, rather than human judgment, be the “measure”?

Short summary

In Part II of *The Machine Stops*, Kuno tells Vashti about his attempt to escape the underground world. He describes seeing the real earth, the hills, and even other people who live outside the Machine. His discovery proves that human beings can survive without the Machine, challenging the belief that life depends entirely on it. The authorities deny his experience, labeling him dangerous and “unmechanical.” The theme “man is the measure” appears in Kuno’s insistence that true value lies in human experience and natural life, not in the artificial standards of the Machine. This part of the story questions whether people will trust their own senses or continue to surrender to technology’s control.

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Gemini

Explanation of the Topic in Context

In Part II, "The Mending Apparatus," the phrase "man is the measure" takes on a powerful and tragic irony. This ancient Greek proverb, typically attributed to Protagoras, means that humans are the ultimate standard by which truth, value, and reality are judged. In the world of The Machine Stops, however, this idea is inverted. Humanity has surrendered its role as the measure, becoming completely dependent on and subservient to the Machine. The Machine, not man, has become the new measure of all things. When the Mending Apparatus begins to fail, it exposes the catastrophic consequence of this reversal: humanity's physical and spiritual atrophy. Without the Machine, they are helpless, revealing their true nature as mere components of a larger system, not its masters.

Key Passages and Moments

Vashanti's visit to the Mending Apparatus: When Vashti is called to the Mending Apparatus to repair a light, she finds a "strange-looking" and "untidy" room. The Machine is portrayed not as an elegant, perfect system, but as something grotesque and disordered. This passage emphasizes that humans, having lost their practical skills, can no longer comprehend or repair the very technology that sustains them. The man who should be the measure is now incapable of even the simplest mechanical task. This is further underscored by the "nurses" who assist, as they are portrayed as inefficient and apathetic, highlighting the decay of human capability and curiosity.

The conversation with the "nurses": During the repair, one of the nurses complains about the "scares" and "noises" coming from the Mending Apparatus, believing they are a sign of the Machine's displeasure. This conversation demonstrates the deep-seated religious reverence and anthropomorphism with which humans view the Machine. They no longer see it as a tool created by man, but as a living deity with its own will and temperament. This deification of the Machine is a crucial moment that shows how far humanity has fallen from being the measure of its own world.

Suggested Discussion Questions

How does the failure of the Mending Apparatus act as a metaphor for the breakdown of humanity's independence and critical thinking?

In a world where the Machine has become an object of worship, what specific human qualities—such as curiosity, ingenuity, or resilience—have been lost or forgotten?

Do we see any parallels between the characters' blind faith in the Machine and our own society's increasing reliance on and reverence for technology?

Could a character like Kuno, who physically and mentally rebels against the Machine, be considered a modern-day Protagoras?

Short Summary for Class

In Part II, "The Mending Apparatus," E. M. Forster's classic phrase "man is the measure" is tragically inverted. Humans have surrendered their independence and skills, becoming utterly dependent on the Machine, which now dictates their existence. The failure of the Mending Apparatus serves as a stark reminder of this loss, revealing humanity's physical and intellectual decay. When the Machine breaks down, it exposes the characters' helplessness and their superstitious reverence for technology, which they have come to view as a god rather than a tool. This section highlights how humanity's abdication of its role as the measure has led to its own physical and spiritual decline.