Lesson 6: Alternatives to High Fantasy Flashcards
Analyze the quest motif in Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang. Is there a quest motif in Tuck Everlasting and Charlotte’s Web?
In “Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang” by Mordecai Richler, the quest motif is prevalent as the protagonist, Jacob, embarks on a journey to overcome challenges and find a resolution to his problems. Jacob’s quest is to assert his independence and gain respect from the adults around him. Throughout the story, he encounters various obstacles and adversaries, symbolizing the trials one often faces on a quest. Ultimately, Jacob’s quest leads him to confront the Hooded Fang and prove himself, marking his growth and development.
In “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt, while there isn’t a traditional quest motif in the sense of a hero’s journey, there is a thematic exploration of the concept of immortality and the consequences of seeking it. The characters, particularly Winnie Foster, are on a quest for understanding the nature of life, death, and eternal life. Winnie’s encounter with the Tuck family leads her on a personal journey of self-discovery and understanding, as she grapples with the idea of living forever versus the natural cycle of life and death.
Similarly, in “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White, the quest motif is not as explicit as in traditional adventure stories, but it’s present in the journey of Wilbur, the pig, and Charlotte, the spider. Wilbur’s quest is to avoid being slaughtered and to find a sense of belonging and purpose. Charlotte, on the other hand, takes on a quest to save Wilbur’s life by weaving messages in her web to convince the humans of Wilbur’s worth. Their quest is one of friendship, survival, and the power of empathy and kindness.
Compare and contrast Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, Charlotte’s Web, and Tuck Everlasting from the perspective of
central characters
- “Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang” features Jacob, a young boy who strives to be heard and respected by adults. The Hooded Fang serves as his primary adversary.
- In “Charlotte’s Web,” the central characters include Wilbur, a pig who longs for acceptance and friendship, Charlotte, a wise spider who helps Wilbur and imparts important life lessons, and Fern, a little girl who saves Wilbur from being killed and spends a great deal of time raising and playing with him.
- “Tuck Everlasting” revolves around Winnie Foster, a young girl who becomes involved with the immortal Tuck family and wrestles with the idea of eternal life.
Compare and contrast Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, Charlotte’s Web, and Tuck Everlasting from the perspective of
Setting
- “Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang” is set in a fantastical and whimsical world where Jacob encounters various challenges, including his time spent in the children’s prison run by the Hooded Fang.
- “Charlotte’s Web” takes place in a rural farm setting, where the interactions between the animals and humans contribute to the story’s charm and emotional depth.
- “Tuck Everlasting” is set in a small, idyllic town in the late 19th century, adding a sense of nostalgia and timelessness to the narrative.
Compare and contrast Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, Charlotte’s Web, and Tuck Everlasting from the perspective of
Main Conflict
- The main conflict in “Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang” revolves around Jacob’s struggle to assert his independence and be taken seriously by adults, particularly the intimidating Hooded Fang.
- In “Charlotte’s Web,” the central conflict is Wilbur’s fight for survival and acceptance, as well as Charlotte’s quest to save him from being slaughtered.
- “Tuck Everlasting” deals with the conflict between the desire for eternal life and the acceptance of mortality, as Winnie grapples with the consequences of the Tuck family’s immortality.
Compare and contrast Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, Charlotte’s Web, and Tuck Everlasting from the perspective of
Theme(s)
- “Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang” explores themes of individuality, courage, and the importance of standing up for oneself in the face of adversity.
- “Charlotte’s Web” delves into themes of friendship, acceptance, the cycle of life and death, and the power of empathy and selflessness.
- “Tuck Everlasting” tackles themes of mortality, the passage of time, the value of life, and the acceptance of the natural order.
Compare and contrast Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, Charlotte’s Web, and Tuck Everlasting from the perspective of
Style
- Mordecai Richler employs a whimsical and humorous style in “Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang,” using wordplay and exaggeration to create a lighthearted yet meaningful story.
- E.B. White’s writing style in “Charlotte’s Web” is characterized by its simplicity, warmth, and emotional resonance, making it accessible to readers of all ages.
- Natalie Babbitt’s prose in “Tuck Everlasting” is lyrical and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the setting and characters while exploring profound themes with subtlety and nuance.
Is there a primary and secondary world in Charlotte’s Web? Compare and contrast Charlotte’s Web to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe from this perspective.
Charlotte’s Web:
While the majority of the story takes place in the primary world of a rural farm, there are elements that create a secondary world within it. This secondary world is primarily represented by the barn and the interactions among the animals that inhabit it.
Within the barn, there is a sense of community and camaraderie among the animals, led by the wise and maternal Charlotte. This world within the barn represents a microcosm of society where animals have their own relationships, hierarchy, and values.
The barn serves as a sanctuary where the animals come together to support and protect one another, creating a separate realm within the larger world of the farm.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe:
In contrast, “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” features a more traditional depiction of a secondary world accessed through a magical portal. The primary world is represented by the mundane reality of wartime England, while the secondary world of Narnia exists parallel to it.
The wardrobe serves as a literal gateway between the primary and secondary worlds, allowing the protagonists to enter Narnia and embark on fantastical adventures.
Narnia is a fully realized secondary world with its own geography, inhabitants, mythology, and rules. It is a place of magic, wonder, and danger, distinct from the familiar world of the characters’ everyday lives.
Analyze the relationships between life, death, and love in Charlotte’s Web
Life and Death in “Charlotte’s Web”:
- In “Charlotte’s Web,” life and death are intertwined aspects of the natural cycle, and the story explores the acceptance of mortality as an integral part of life.
- The impending death of Wilbur, the pig, is a central conflict in the story, as he faces the prospect of being slaughtered. Wilbur’s journey involves coming to terms with his mortality and finding value and meaning in his life, despite its impermanence.
- Through the character of Charlotte, the wise and compassionate spider, the novel emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of cherishing life while accepting the inevitability of death.
- Charlotte’s act of spinning webs with messages to save Wilbur’s life demonstrates the power of love and friendship to transcend death, as her memory and legacy live on even after her passing.
Analyze the relationship between life and death in Tuck Everlasting
Life and Death in “Tuck Everlasting”:
- In “Tuck Everlasting,” the exploration of life and death is framed within the context of immortality and the consequences of seeking eternal life.
- The Tuck family’s immortality is portrayed as a curse rather than a blessing, as they are condemned to live outside the natural order of life and death, watching the world around them change while they remain unchanged.
- The central conflict of the novel arises from Winnie Foster’s encounter with the Tuck family and her decision whether to drink from the magical spring that grants eternal life. Through Winnie’s journey, the novel raises thought-provoking questions about the value of life and the significance of mortality.
- Ultimately, “Tuck Everlasting” emphasizes the beauty and fragility of life, suggesting that the awareness of our own mortality is what gives life its meaning and purpose.
Analyze the relationship between the “real” (frame) world and the dream (fantasy) world in Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang.
In “Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang,” the relationship between the real world and the dream world is one of escapism and empowerment. In the real world, Jacob faces challenges and injustices, feeling overlooked and bullied. His dream world serves as a refuge, where his imagination transforms him into a brave adventurer. Here, he confronts his fears and asserts control. Through this interplay, the story highlights the transformative power of imagination and storytelling in overcoming adversity and empowering individuals to challenge the status quo.
Analyze the attitudes to grown-ups in Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang and Charlotte’s Web.
In “Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang,” attitudes toward grown-ups are marked by frustration and defiance, as Jacob feels misunderstood and constrained by authority figures. In contrast, “Charlotte’s Web” portrays grown-ups as supportive mentors, offering guidance and love to the younger characters. While Jacob challenges adult authority, characters in “Charlotte’s Web” find comfort and guidance from them.
How would you categorize Tuck Everlasting, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, and Charlotte’s Web according to the categories of fantasy described by Russell in Literature for Children?
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt:
- Enchanted Journeys: The novel could be categorized under enchanted journeys as it explores the journey of the protagonist, Winnie Foster, who encounters the immortal Tuck family and embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery.
- Time Slip Fantasy: It also fits into the time slip fantasy category as it deals with the concept of immortality and the consequences of living outside the natural flow of time.
Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler:
- Eccentric Characters: This category fits well as the story features eccentric and larger-than-life characters such as the Hooded Fang and the various colorful personalities Jacob encounters in his adventures.
- Enchanted Journeys: It also falls under enchanted journeys as Jacob embarks on imaginative adventures in his dream world, confronting challenges and adversaries along the way.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White:
- Animal Fantasy: This category perfectly describes “Charlotte’s Web” as it revolves around the lives and interactions of animals on a farm, with anthropomorphized characters like Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider.
Fantasy literature often conveys a message about morals. What distinguishes the methods used in fantasy to convey this message from the methods used in didactic tales?
Fantasy Literature:
- Fantasy often conveys moral messages through allegory, symbolism, and metaphor. The fantastical elements of the story provide a rich and imaginative backdrop for exploring complex themes and ethical dilemmas.
- Rather than directly instructing the reader on what is right or wrong, fantasy literature encourages readers to engage with the narrative on a deeper level, drawing their own conclusions about the moral lessons embedded within the story.
- Fantasy allows for greater creativity and ambiguity in presenting moral messages, inviting readers to interpret and reflect on the meaning of the story in their own unique ways.
Didactic Tales:
- Didactic tales, on the other hand, are more overt and explicit in their moral messaging. These stories typically feature clear-cut moral lessons and often include direct instruction or guidance for the reader.
- The primary focus of didactic tales is to teach and impart specific moral values or lessons to the reader, often through the actions and experiences of the characters.
- Didactic tales may use repetition, moralizing language, and explicit moral resolutions to reinforce the intended message and ensure that the reader comprehends the lesson being taught.
What would you say the message is Tuck Everlasting
The message in “Tuck Everlasting” revolves around the themes of mortality, the passage of time, and the value of life. The novel encourages readers to contemplate the complexities of living forever versus embracing the natural cycle of life and death. Through Winnie’s journey, the story underscores the importance of cherishing the present moment and accepting the inherent beauty and fragility of life.
What would you say the message is in Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang
The message in “Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang” centers on themes of courage, resilience, and the power of imagination. The novel encourages readers to stand up for themselves and assert their individuality in the face of adversity. Through Jacob’s imaginative adventures, the story celebrates the transformative power of creativity and self-expression.
