Fantastic Mr Fox

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Consider the meaning of the word “greed.” Is this a positive or negative word? Why? In what situation might a person be called “greedy?”

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer question invites students to consider the philosophical context of the novel in line with the theme of Greed and Hubris Will Be Punished. As a word with negative connotations, “greed” usually refers to the uninhibited desire for more. In the novel, Dahl personifies greed through the farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean, who are cheap, gluttonous, and ultimately detestable characters—both internally and externally. Their greed is ultimately their downfall, as their obsession with catching Mr. Fox, along with destruction of the surrounding natural environment, is responsible for their failure.

• This article from Baylor University explores the major life lessons from Dahl’s books, including greediness.
• “The Wonderful, Terrible Power of Food in Roald Dahl” from Slate magazine explores the relationship between greed and gluttony in Dahl’s novels.

Short Activity

In mythology, legends, and folklore across the world, foxes have been depicted as cunning and clever tricksters—but they have embodied both heroic and villainous roles. In this Activity, you will research how foxes have been traditionally represented in different stories and cultures. Then you will present your findings to the class. Consider the following questions as you begin your research: What do foxes usually symbolize, and why? How are they characterized? What roles do they often play in stories?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Activity invites students to explore Dahl’s protagonist in conjunction with historic and symbolic representations of foxes. In Fantastic Mr. Fox, Mr. Fox is both a father and a husband—a family man—as well as a quick-witted character; he uses his intelligence and strong sense of smell to outwit the antagonists trying to harm him and his family. In the end, other animals praise him for being “fantastic,” in reference to Dahl’s title. To encourage curiosity and promote collaboration, consider pairing students for this activity and asking certain groups to identify the more heroic or villainous roles foxes have traditionally taken on in fables and other fox-related tales.

• This page from the Academy of American Poets defines the word “fable” and includes a brief history of the Western tradition.
• This video discusses foxes in folklore, from oral storytelling traditions to modern references in literature and film.

Differentiation Suggestion: For an extended presentation exercise with an analytical component, the following may be added to the above prompt: Select one passage from a story about foxes to read aloud to class. How does this passage exemplify one of the themes of Greed and Hubris Will Be Punished, The Triumph of the Underdog, and/or The Importance of Family and Friendship?

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

In traditional fables, a moral story is told in the form of prose or verse, while the main characters are often personified versions of animals who speak and act like real people. Imagine your life as a story told in the form of a fable. What type of animal would represent you as a character, and why? What attributes would this character have? What moral or lesson would you want your story to convey?

Teaching Suggestion: This Personal Connection Prompt invites students to consider the fable genre in the context of their own lives. As the protagonist and namesake of the story, Mr. Fox is able to use his intellect and generosity to save himself and the surrounding families living in the hill, conveying the importance of intelligence and peace over pride and conflict.