Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH By Robert C. O’Brien

Robert C. O’Brien Worked as a journalist for Newsweek and National Geographic Wrote 4 books Did not get drafted for WWII because of mental health issues

Lab Rats & Behavioral Sciences John B. Calhoun – researcher at the real NIMH on animal behavior Study population behaviors: Overcrowding Aggression Trained responses Reasoning and logic Mental, social, and physical experiments Growing tissue and small appendages Makeup testing

The Book… Newberry Medal Winner in 1972 Science Fiction Anthropomorphism Widowed field mouse trying to save her house and family Lab rats creating a technological society Based on real lab work from the 1940s -1960s Made a movie in 1982

Anthropomorphism Anthropomorphism, or personification, is attribution of human form or other characteristics to anything other than a human being. Examples include depicting deities (Gods)with human form, creating fictional non-human animal characters with human physical traits, and ascribing human emotions or motives to forces of nature, such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Anthropomorphism has ancient roots as a literary device in storytelling, and also in art. Most cultures have traditional fables with anthropomorphised animals, who can stand or talk as if human, as characters.

Characters… Mrs. Frisby – widowed field mouse trying to take care of her children Jonathan Frisby – Mrs. Frisby’s dead husband; known by the lab rats

Timothy – Son of Mrs. Frisby; very sickly, but very kind Dragon the Cat – Farmer’s terrifying cat; very violent; loves to eat field mice

Teresa – Daughter of Mrs. Frisby; takes care of Timothy; can be gloomy Martin – Mrs. Frisby’s older son; strong and obedient Cynthia- Mrs. Frisby’s youngest child; helpful but scatter brained

Mr. Ages – doctor to the field mice; friend of Mrs. Frisby Jeremy- foolish crow; friend of Mrs. Frisby

Farmer Fitzgibbons and sons – own the land that Mrs Farmer Fitzgibbons and sons – own the land that Mrs. Frisby’s home is on; run the farm equipment; own the evil cat

Old Owl – oldest animal in the woods that all the birds ask questions Nicodemus – leader of the rats

Dr Schultz – lead neurologist at NIMH Justin – captain of the rats guard

Jenner – rat that deserted the community with six others Arthur – rat’s chief engineer Gerald - Nicodemus’ older brother Lady Shrew – Frisby’s neighbor at the winter house Izzy – young girl rat that likes the library; parents were from NIMH Brutus – guard of the rats home