Whittington

Anthropomorphized, talking animals are usually features of an animal fantasy story, yet other elements in Whittington are realistic rather than fantastical. Which elements are fantastical and which are realistic? How do the fantasy elements and realistic elements work together to communicate one or more of the novel’s major themes?

Whittington, Abby and Ben, and Dick all face loss and find support through new friendships. What do their respective journeys say about the meaning of family and community?

Research the historic story of Dick Whittington and the folk tale he inspired. Explain how Armstrong uses realistic historical details and elements of the folk tale to craft Dick’s story in the novel. What details did Armstrong change? What effect do these changes have?

Research the cognitive processes involved in reading. Why is reading/literacy so important to an individual’s life? How is storytelling represented in the novel?

What role do mentors and teachers play in Whittington? Identify the important mentors/teachers in the novel and how they help one or more characters achieve growth.

Ben, Abby, and the barn animals are impressed by Dick Whittington’s personal qualities. What qualities does Dick have that they admire? How does learning about his story help shape their own behavior and aspirations, and how does this reflect The Power of Storytelling more generally?

Dick’s cat is unnamed in the original folk tale, which Whittington makes a point of mentioning. Whittington himself takes a lot of pride in his name. What is the importance of animals’ names in the novel? How do they shape or reflect characterization?

The present-day action takes place on a farm and in the barn. How is the present-day setting depicted? How does it compare to the urban or foreign settings (e.g., London, Africa) featured in the past narrative about Dick Whittington?