The Monkey's Finger
Encyclopedia
"The Monkey's Finger" is a science fiction
short story
by Isaac Asimov
. It was first published in the February 1953 issue of Startling Stories
and reprinted in the 1975 collection Buy Jupiter and Other Stories
. The story is based on a disagreement between Asimov and editor H. L. Gold
over the story C-Chute
. The title is a reference to W. W. Jacobs
' story "The Monkey's Paw
".
's poem Lepanto, and the monkey produces a copy of the next stanza that, spelling errors aside, matches Chesterton's original text exactly.
The monkey is then given Tallinn's unfinished story to consider; it finishes the story exactly as the editor requested, inserting a scene change where Tallinn wanted to leave it out. Tallinn declares this as proof of his point: if he changes his story to match Hoskins' request, he is no better than a machine or a monkey. Hoskins accepts Tallinn's argument and takes the story as-is.
The professor later asks Tallinn what he would have said if the monkey had reproduced his version of the story, instead of the version Hoskins originally wanted; Tallinn reveals, embarrassed, that he initially believed that that was exactly what would happen.
......
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
. It was first published in the February 1953 issue of Startling Stories
Startling Stories
Startling Stories was an American pulp science fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1955 by Standard Magazines. It was initially edited by Mort Weisinger, who was also the editor of Thrilling Wonder Stories, Standard's other science fiction title. Startling ran a lead novel in every issue;...
and reprinted in the 1975 collection Buy Jupiter and Other Stories
Buy Jupiter and Other Stories
Buy Jupiter and Other Stories is a 1975 collection of short stories by American writer Isaac Asimov.It includes the following stories:*"Darwinian Pool Room"* "Day of the Hunters" * "Shah Guido G." * "Button, Button"...
. The story is based on a disagreement between Asimov and editor H. L. Gold
H. L. Gold
Horace Leonard Gold was a science fiction writer and editor. Born in Canada, Gold moved to the United States at the age of two...
over the story C-Chute
C-Chute
"C-Chute" is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. It was first published in the October 1951 issue of Galaxy Magazine and later appeared in Asimov's collections Nightfall and Other Stories and The Best of Isaac Asimov ....
. The title is a reference to W. W. Jacobs
W. W. Jacobs
William Wymark Jacobs , was an English author of short stories and novels.-Writings:Jacobs is now remembered for his macabre tale "The Monkey's Paw" and "The Toll House"...
' story "The Monkey's Paw
The Monkey's Paw
"The Monkey's Paw" is a horror short story by author W. W. Jacobs. It was published in England in 1902.The story is based on the famous "setup" in which three wishes are granted. In the story, the paw of a dead monkey is a talisman that grants its possessor three wishes, but the wishes come with an...
".
Plot summary
Marmaduke Tallinn, a fantasy writer, and his editor Lemuel Hoskins are locked in a heated dispute over a story that Tallinn is writing for the magazine Hoskins edits. To prove his point, Tallinn introduces Hoskins to a university Professor who has experimented on a monkey to enable it to write stories based on a given style and flavour. The professor demonstrates the monkey's ability by asking Hoskins for a random sample of writing; Hoskins recites two stanzas from G. K. ChestertonG. K. Chesterton
Gilbert Keith Chesterton, KC*SG was an English writer. His prolific and diverse output included philosophy, ontology, poetry, plays, journalism, public lectures and debates, literary and art criticism, biography, Christian apologetics, and fiction, including fantasy and detective fiction....
's poem Lepanto, and the monkey produces a copy of the next stanza that, spelling errors aside, matches Chesterton's original text exactly.
The monkey is then given Tallinn's unfinished story to consider; it finishes the story exactly as the editor requested, inserting a scene change where Tallinn wanted to leave it out. Tallinn declares this as proof of his point: if he changes his story to match Hoskins' request, he is no better than a machine or a monkey. Hoskins accepts Tallinn's argument and takes the story as-is.
The professor later asks Tallinn what he would have said if the monkey had reproduced his version of the story, instead of the version Hoskins originally wanted; Tallinn reveals, embarrassed, that he initially believed that that was exactly what would happen.
......