Themes

Ben is working on an organizer for a writing assignment to address the question: "Using the elements of character (who the author reveals people to be),setting (time and place), plot (events that occur) and theme (author'smessage), prove that LBITU is scifi and that BFG is fantasy. Show how each book could not fit the definition of the other genre."

We are examining the differences between Science Fiction and Fantasy.

I realized that we have not adequately addressed the issue of 'Theme' for either book. What are the authors of LBITU and BFG trying to say?

Cattypiddlers

Kris suggested that a Fantasy Book might be a good follow-up to the science fiction ‘Last Book in the Universe’. She suggested we read something by Raold Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). I looked at a couple of his books and decided to read “BFG” (which stands for Big Friendly Giant). Ben and I started reading it as a read aloud on Monday. Yesterday (Tuesday) we took advantage of a nice day and went and read outside in a nearby park.

Monday and Tuesday I did the reading. Today Ben helped, taking the part of Sophie and also the Bloodbottler (evil giant). We are both enjoying the way the giants talk. I suggested that the BFG talks similarly to me, but Ben thought the BFG used better grammar.

There are many great turns of phrases in the book. My favorite so far is when the BFG talks about a listening to ‘Caddypiddlers’. We did not know what he was referring to until a couple of paragraphs later when he said they were arguing over who would be the prettiest ‘Buttery Flys’.

We have been comparing characters to LBITU. We find the BFG is ‘Rhyter’-like. He has a good heart, and wisdom to share. Sophie is like SPAZ – smart, and unsure of what to make of what the BFG is saying. (We both thought that the Bloodbottler reminded us most of Lotti Getts.)

We are still thinking about the essential elements that make the Fantasy book BFG different from the Science Fiction book LBITU.

Despite being about Giants that eat children, the BFG (conveniently already an acronym) is not as dark as the LBITU. Thought ‘Human Bean’-eating giants lurk nearby, why does this book not seem as menacing as LBITU?

Ryter's Write?

Avi (author, “Something Upstairs”) gave a list of things you need to do to be a good writer.

What items are on the list?

One of the items relates to ‘Audience’. If the purpose of our writing is to create a memory (as Ryter saw his mission) how would the writing need to be different then if we were simply writing to entertain?