I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
Who is the antagonist in the story?
AM, the supercomputer
What is the name of the woman who lives underground and follows the Machine’s teachings?
Vashti
What is Victor’s motivation for creating life?
A desire to overcome death and achieve scientific greatness
What does the black box in The Lottery symbolize?
Tradition and blind adherence to outdated practices
Which story features an AI that controls the last humans?
I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
What happened to most of humanity?
AM destroyed them in a global war.
What is Kuno’s main complaint about life in the Machine?
That it has made people weak, isolated, and disconnected from the real world
How does the Creature learn language and history?
By observing the De Lacey family and reading books
What theme connects Harrison Bergeron and There Will Come Soft Rains?
The dangers of overreliance on systems (government or technology)
In which 2 stories do humans become irrelevant to machines?
There Will Come Soft Rains
The Machine Stops
What makes the narrator different by the end of the story?
He’s turned into a formless being and cannot scream.
Why is it considered dangerous or wrong to visit the Earth’s surface?
It goes against the Machine’s rules, and people believe the surface is inhospitable and primitive
What is the role of Walton’s letters in the novel?
They frame the story and parallel Victor’s ambition
How does the setting enhance the message of Omelas?
The idyllic setting contrasts with the moral horror beneath it.
What technological element is feared in Nine Billion Names of God?
That the computer may actually fulfill a divine prophecy
What does the computer AM stand for?
Originally “Allied Mastercomputer,” then “Adaptive Manipulator,” then “Aggressive Menace”
What does Vashti do for “communication” with others in the story?
She uses video conferencing and lectures through the Machine’s network
How does the Creature justify his actions?
He says he was made a monster by rejection and loneliness.
What does the child in Omelas represent in philosophical terms?
The scapegoat or the ethical cost of societal happiness
What is the danger of routine as shown in The Lottery?
That people accept violence simply because it’s tradition
Why is the story’s title significant?
It captures the narrator’s eternal suffering and voicelessness.
What is the significance of the story’s ending when the Machine collapses?
It reveals humanity’s fragility and the consequences of surrendering to artificial systems instead of maintaining real-world connection and resilience
What deeper theme does the novel explore through Victor and the Creature?
The danger of unchecked ambition and playing God
What common theme runs through all seven texts?
The consequences of sacrificing humanity or morality for comfort, progress, or control
How do these stories critique reliance on technology?
They show how technology can dehumanize, destroy, or outlive us when misused