English 2F - Children's Lit
Response #9 -The Phantom Tollbooth
Purpose: To analyze the elements of fantasy, especially archetypal elements, to identify the potential responses of children to the book, to explore the question of how fantasy affects children psychologically, emotionally and soacially.
Directions:
| Note: The responses are intended to be a way for you to explore ideas that you might later wish to refine in a paper or a discussion. I will not censor these responses in any way, nor will I grade them on content or grammar (though, like the seminars, they must be coherent and display some measure of critical thinking about the question at hand). You do not have to answer all the questions, nor do you have to confine yourself to these questions. You can write as much as you want, as long as you meet the minimum length requirements for the assignment |
1. Read Norton Juster 's The Phantom Tollbooth .
2. Review the material on fantasy from Module 6.
3. Choose one of the questions below and write a 1-2 page response. Include quotes from the book to back up your ideas.
- What archetypes do we find in this book? Are the characters true to the standard of the archetype, or do they somehow subvert the expectations of the archetype? Either way, what are the effects on the reader?
- What are some of the symbols in the book, and what might those symbols represent? How might a child interpret the symbols? How might an adult intepretation of the same symbols differ?
- Compare and contrast some of the elements in this book to those in other stories/mythologies/religions. What are some of the common elements? What are some of the important differences? Why might Juster have included these similarities and differences and what is the ultimate effect on the audience?
- How believable is the world of Lands Beyond? How do the details that Juster includes about the land and its history contribute to our willingness (or unwillingness) to believe in it? Do you think children and adults have different levels of tolerance when it comes to believing in a fantasy land?
4. Submit your response to the assignments chamber, either as an attachment, or a cut-and-paste.
5. Extra Credit Option: Post your response to the extra credit forums, "Response #9 - The Phantom Tollbooth" . You will receive extra credit if you post your response and respond to at least one other student's posting. |