AnalyzingAnalyzingThe Tale of DespereauxThe Tale of Despereaux

What does it mean to analyze?What does it mean to analyze? to separate into parts or elements; to separate into parts or elements;

determine the elements or essential determine the elements or essential features of somethingfeatures of something. .

to examine critically, so as to bring out the to examine critically, so as to bring out the essential elements or give the essence ofessential elements or give the essence of. .

to examine carefully and in detail so as to to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, possible identify causes, key factors, possible results, etc.results, etc.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/analyzehttp://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?What are motivations?

Motivation is why someone acts the Motivation is why someone acts the way they do. way they do.

Is it always obvious what someone’s Is it always obvious what someone’s motivation is?motivation is?

Can motivation change?Can motivation change?

What are conflicts? Struggles Disagreements Things that go wrong

4 Types of Point of View

1. Objective2. Third Person3. First Person4. Omniscient and Limited

Omniscienthttp://www.learner.org/interactives/literature/read/

pov2.html

What are relationships?What are relationships?

How characters are relatedHow characters are related How they interact with each otherHow they interact with each other What characters have sharedWhat characters have shared

Changes characters undergoThis 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 CharactersSecondary Characters

Despereaux’s family Despereaux’s family King Phillip King Phillip Botticelli RemorsoBotticelli Remorso CookCook Gregory the JailerGregory 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 darknessWhat does Chiaroscuro make you think

of?

Analyzing Miggery SowAnalyzing Miggery Sow

Traits: Simple and hopefulTraits: Simple and hopeful Motivations: Desire to be a princessMotivations: Desire to be a princess Conflicts: No one cares what she wantsConflicts: No one cares what she wants Relationships: “Uncle” and RoscuroRelationships: “Uncle” and Roscuro Changes: Ears become “cauliflowers”Changes: Ears become “cauliflowers” http://www.imdb.com/video/http://www.imdb.com/video/

screenplay/vi2743272217/ screenplay/vi2743272217/ What does Miggery really want?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 PhillipAnalyzing King Phillip

Traits: Foolish and lovingTraits: Foolish and loving Motivations: Grief and justiceMotivations: Grief and justice Conflicts: Death of the QueenConflicts: Death of the Queen Relationships: Princess Pea and the QueenRelationships: Princess Pea and the Queen Changes: Vacillates between acceptance Changes: Vacillates between acceptance

and non-acceptanceand non-acceptance http://www.imdb.com/video/http://www.imdb.com/video/

screenplay/vi2760049433/ screenplay/vi2760049433/ Do you know anyone like the King?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: NoneDoes 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 soupWhy is soup so important to Cook?

Analyzing Gregory the JailerAnalyzing Gregory the Jailer

Traits: Wise, industrious, mournfulTraits: Wise, industrious, mournful Motivations: Loves stories and seeks safety Motivations: Loves stories and seeks safety Conflicts: Rats and darknessConflicts: Rats and darkness Relationships: Rats , Despereaux, and Relationships: Rats , Despereaux, and

MiggeryMiggery Changes: Saved Despereaux. Never saved Changes: Saved Despereaux. Never saved

a mouse beforea mouse beforeWhat, if anything, surprised you about the What, if anything, surprised you about the

jailer?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/