Fantastic Mr Fox

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

CREATIVE WRITING: “Create Your Own Allegory”

In this activity, students will use Dahl’s novel as a model to create their own allegorical tale.

An allegory refers to a story with a message of morality. Dahl’s novel is an allegory on the detriments of greed in society. Working in small groups, you will write an allegory of your own in which you focus on another problematic characteristic. Using Dahl’s novel as a guide, consider the following questions as you outline your piece:

• What problematic characteristic will you focus on?
• Which character(s) represent(s) this characteristic?
• Which character(s) represent(s) the good quality? How so?
• Where and when is the story set?
• What is the moral or message?
• How does the ending of the story connect with the moral?

Share your final draft with the class, then reflect on the following questions: Do any of the class’s stories touch upon Dahl’s themes of Greed and Hubris Will Be Punished, The Triumph of the Underdog, and/or The Importance of Family and Friendship? If so, how?

Teaching Suggestion: This Activity invites students to explore creative writing in alignment with Dahl’s novel. Students who would benefit from extra support in crafting their allegory might submit portions of their story (e.g., first character descriptions, second setting, third plot skeleton) for review prior to writing and/or finalizing their draft. For additional guidance, consider breaking down Fantastic Mr. Fox with the class using the above questions first.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Although some characters do not condone his actions, the thieving Mr. Fox is portrayed as a likable hero.

• In what ways does this story either support or oppose stealing? (topic sentence)
• Identify at least two characters and analyze whether their actions do or do not support the idea of stealing.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, consider how doing the “wrong” thing connects with Dahl’s theme of Greed and Hubris Will Be Punished.

2. The novel portrays the farmers as the antagonists of the story, as they oppose Mr. Fox and create conflict.

• Why does Dahl characterize the farmers as the antagonists of the story? (topic sentence)
• Analyze Boggis, Bunce, and Bean as characters, and discuss how and why Dahl portrays them in a negative light.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, discuss the purpose of Dahl’s characterization of the antagonists in connection to the central theme of The Triumph of the Underdog.

3. Mr. Fox’s relationships play an integral role in the story.

• How do Mr. Fox’s family and friends help to shape his decisions? (topic sentence)
• Analyze how the actions of at least one family member and one friend influence Mr. Fox and reveal his character.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, consider the ways Mr. Fox’s relationships speak to The Importance of Family and Friendship.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Dramatic irony refers to the difference between how a character understands a situation and how the audience understands it. Describe how dramatic irony is used at the end of the novel. What are the animals and the farmers doing in the final scene? What is the purpose of this ironic ending? Why do you think Dahl decided to end the story this way?

2. Consider the characterization of the farmers. What language does Dahl use in order to exemplify their detestability? How does this contrast with the language used for Mr. Fox? Do the detestable characters have redeeming qualities, or do the likeable characters have condemning qualities? What effect does this have on the story? Explain.

3. In literature, the conflict of man versus nature occurs when a human character directly opposes or struggles against natural environments or animals. Consider the purpose behind Dahl’s choice to make man versus nature the central conflict of the story. What roles do “man” and “nature” play in the novel, and why does conflict arise between them? What message is Dahl trying to convey?

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is true about the farmers—Boggis, Bunce, and Bean?

A) They each consume more food and drink than needed.

B) They pride themselves on their kindness and generosity.

C) They are well-known as loveable workers.

D) They support the children in the community with games.

2. Which sense does Mr. Fox use to identify the farmers’ locations?

A) Sight

B) Sound

C) Smell

D) Touch

3. Why does Mrs. Fox call her husband “fantastic”?

A) Because he thinks of the idea to out dig the farmers

B) Because he steals food every night for the family

C) Because he helps Mrs. Fox with her injured tail

D) Because he decides to befriend the local farmers

4. As the three farmers try to dig the hole, “Bean took another swig of cider, then put the flask back into his pocket without offering it to the others” (Chapter 5). Based on this quote, which one of the following words best describes Farmer Bean’s character?

A) Gracious

B) Generous

C) Greedy

D) Gregarious

5. Which one of the following phrases best describes how the farmers, Boggis, Bunce, and Bean, react to catching Mr. Fox?

A) Determined to be the winners

B) Apathetic to the outcome

C) Anxious of hurting his family

D) Fearful of Mr. Fox’s wrath

6. Which one of the following words best describes the type of meals that the farmers eat?

A) Diverse

B) Gluttonous

C) Nutritious

D) Sparce

7. How do the Small Foxes react to their dad’s new plan after several days without nourishment?

A) With frustration

B) With exasperation

C) With eagerness

D) With carelessness

8. How does Mr. Fox believe that he and his group should approach the storehouses of food?

A) With greediness

B) With speed

C) With moderation

D) With pride

9. On his escapade with Mr. Fox, Badger begins to drink some cider: “‘It’s… it’s like melted gold!’ he gasped. ‘Oh, Foxy, it’s… like drinking sunbeams and rainbows!’” (Chapter 15). Which of the following literary terms does Badger use in this description?

A) Allusion

B) Metaphor

C) Personification

D) Simile

10. How does Rat react to the activities of Mr. Fox and Badger?

A) With support

B) With disgust

C) With delight

D) With mockery

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Who fills the roles of the protagonist(s) and antagonist(s), and why? How do these characters differ from the narrator?

2. What happens from the beginning to the end of the story? Create a story arc of the narrative. Be sure to identify the major plot points of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.