Analyzing The Tale of Despereaux

What does it mean to analyze? to separate into parts or elements; determine the elements or essential features of something. to examine critically, so as to bring out the essential elements or give the essence of. to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, possible results, etc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/analyze

To analyze characters in The Tale of Despereaux we need to examine: Traits Motivations Conflicts Point of View Relationships Changes they undergo

What are character traits? These can be adjectives that you would use to describe a character. Examples: funny, scary, tough, sensitive, obedient, rebellious, doubtful, boring, secretive, selfish, energetic, devious, bossy, and calm

What are motivations? Motivation is why someone acts the way they do. Is it always obvious what someone’s motivation is? Can motivation change?

What are conflicts? Struggles Disagreements Things that go wrong

Omniscient and Limited Omniscient 4 Types of Point of View Objective Third Person First Person Omniscient and Limited Omniscient http://www.learner.org/interactives/literature/read/pov2.html

What are relationships? How characters are related How they interact with each other What characters have shared

Changes characters undergo This can be anything from aging to shifting beliefs. This can include birth, death, learning, and forgiving.

Main Characters Devereaux Tilling Roscuro Miggery Sow Princess Pea

Secondary Characters Despereaux’s family King Phillip Botticelli Remorso Cook Gregory the Jailer

Analyzing Despereaux Traits: Imaginative and brave Motivations: Music and love Conflicts: Mouse society Relationships: His family and Princess Pea Changes: Learns to read and stand up for himself http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1854014233/ Does Despereaux have any weaknesses? What do you like most about him?

Analyzing Roscuro Traits: Clever and heartbroken Motivations: Light and revenge Conflicts: Light and darkness Relationships: Botticelli and Miggery Changes: Seeks light, uses darkness What does Chiaroscuro make you think of?

Analyzing Miggery Sow Traits: Simple and hopeful Motivations: Desire to be a princess Conflicts: No one cares what she wants Relationships: “Uncle” and Roscuro Changes: Ears become “cauliflowers” http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2743272217/ What does Miggery really want?

Analyzing Princess Pea Traits: Compassionate and gentle Motivations: Love Conflicts: Father’s expectations and laws Relationships: Despereaux and Miggery Changes: Learns about vulnerabilities http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1635910425/ What has Princess Pea learned?

Analyzing Despereaux’s family Traits: Conforming and cautious Motivations: Food and survival Conflicts: Despereaux’s differences Relationships: Mouse society Changes: Lester, the father, changes. How? http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1870791449/ How do the members of his family differ?

Analyzing King Phillip Traits: Foolish and loving Motivations: Grief and justice Conflicts: Death of the Queen Relationships: Princess Pea and the Queen Changes: Vacillates between acceptance and non-acceptance http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2760049433/ Do you know anyone like the King?

Analyzing Botticelli Remorso Traits: Predatory and hateful Motivations: Cause suffering and power Conflicts: Roscuro’s yearning for light Relationships: Rat society Changes: None Does Botticelli change? Why or why not?

Analyzing Cook Traits: Tough and impatient Motivations: Efficiency and nuturing Conflicts: Can not make soup and struggles with Miggery Relationships: Loiuse and Miggery Changes: Becomes tolerant after making soup Why is soup so important to Cook?

Analyzing Gregory the Jailer Traits: Wise, industrious, mournful Motivations: Loves stories and seeks safety Conflicts: Rats and darkness Relationships: Rats , Despereaux, and Miggery Changes: Saved Despereaux. Never saved a mouse before What, if anything, surprised you about the jailer?

What do we understand now about The Tale of Despereaux and its characters? What do we understand about themes like good vs. evil and the power of stories? What do we understand about problem resolution? Why did the author choose the characters she chose? Watch for differences in the movie.

Helpful links and resources http://www.thetaleofdespereauxmovie.com/splash/downloads/scholastic/Despereaux_Scholastic.pdf http://www.teachertimesavers.com/Tale%20of%20Despereaux.pdf http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/grade/3-4/