The Brave Little Toaster

Literature Study Guide Answers

ANALYZE THE TEXT

1. Draw Conclusions: Is the story set in the past, the present, or the future? What details in the text help you draw this conclusion?
The story is set in the near future. Details such as the kinds of appliances Mister Toussaint has (refrigerator, microwave) and the fact that he takes the train to work are similar to today's world. There are also smart devices today, although there is not as much connectivity as in the story (the way "the house chattered enthusiastically" in paragraph 25, the quorum-sensors). The author takes today's technology and imagines how it might evolve in the next few years.
2. Interpret: Is LOONY GOONY an "Internet of Things prank," as Mister Toussaint suspects? Explain why.
Yes. The prank is that LOONY GOONY creates problems in the house, such as causing the refrigerator to throw away good food and order more, and it cannot be thrown away. It works through the Internet of Things in which smart devices communicate with each other.
3. Cause/Effect: What is Mister Toussaint's main motivation throughout the story? How do his goals and desires cause the story's action to unfold?
Mister Toussaint is motivated by his desire to get rid of LOONY GOONY. This leads him to try many different ways to dispose of the squeezy-pouch, including throwing it in the trash, putting it in the microwave, and flushing it down the toilet. Eventually, he is motivated to get his grandfather's "stupid" toaster out of its storage container.
4. Analyze: What is the climax, or most exciting moment, in the story's plot? How does it lead to the resolution of the main conflict?
The climax is when Mister Toussaint is able to destroy LOONY GOONY with the toaster. This scene resolves the story's conflict because he is finally able to defeat the prank.
5. Notice & Note: Find the statement that Mister Toussaint repeats in paragraphs 8 and 14. What is he responding to each time? What theme about people and technology does the repetition suggest?
Each time LOONY GOONY makes a false statement about itself, Mister Toussaint responds, "No you're not." This suggests that people should not blindly follow or believe the machines they have created; human intelligence is always needed.

RESEARCH: INTERNET OF THINGS

QUESTION ANSWER
What is the Internet of Things? It is the network created by both computers and "smart" devices that are connected to the Internet and can communicate with each other.
What are some examples in today's world? a fitness tracker that sends data about your workout to your phone; a thermostat that you can control remotely
What might the Internet of Things do in the future? make farming more productive by connecting sensors on plants to satellite imaging and weather data; create bridges with smart cement that can monitor safety conditions and warn cars of hazards