waggawerewolf27 wrote:Though, to be honest, even when C.S.Lewis first describes Eustace, was he really all that bad? Doubtlessly he would crow irritatingly about his good school marks, because it made him feel more positive about himself. And I agree that it might be a trifle insensitive to do so at a boarding school. But wouldn't that be a fairly normal sort of thing for children to do, when at home, for instance? Especially when it would impress Mum and Dad?
While I agree that bragging is very common for children, that doesn't make it pleasant or right. It depends on what you mean by "all that bad." Lewis makes it clear that he enjoyed bullying. I can't know for sure about the time when this story was set, but I do know that bullying is seen as being a very serious offense these days. There are severe consequences for people / students caught bullying.
From Lewis discussion of what should happen to the bullies at Expirement House and what happens to them at the end of the book, I assume bullying was seen as being serious in most circles.
1. What do you think about how long it took Eustace to figure out he had become a dragon?
He has no background knowledge use to figure it out. I also suspect that logic is not taught at his school. He was in a panic too and probably not thinking. Still, it did seem to take a very long time for him to figure it out.
2. Why do you think becoming a dragon changed Eustace's feelings about the others?
It was a shock and sometimes a shock can change one’s perspective. His internal ugliness became external and he realized that the others were not “ugly.” He was measuring them against the monster he had become instead of against the ideal (a mixture what Alberta and Harold taught him and what he thought himself to be).
3. Lewis keeps mentioning that Eustace read the wrong sorts of books. Why do you think he does this?
It could be a commentary on the current trends in education. It helps explain Eustace’s confusion and slowness in figuring out what is going on. Assuming the reader has read “the right books” it serves as an reminder that Eustace doesn’t have this knowledge. Otherwise the reader may be too judgmental of Eustace.
4. Why would Reepicheep want to attempt single combat with a dragon?
He is a knight and knights fight dragons. Reepicheep sees it as his duty to defend. It may seem unlikely to most people that Reepicheep could do any real damage against the dragon, but I think he might be able to. I bet he thinks he could defeat a dragon.
5. What does it say about Lucy that she was willing to risk approaching the dragon?
She cares deeply about creatures and people and wants to help them. She is kindhearted.
6. Why do you think Lucy and the others were able to figure out what had happened to Eustace?
They are intelligent and have some knowledge of enchantments and dragons.
7. What do you notice different about Lewis' treatment of dragons as compared to other authors'?
Well, I remember reading some book where dragons could understand a lot of different languages and if a person drank some of the dragon’s blood they could too. Lewis doesn’t mention anything like that. My students love a book called Dragon’s Love Tacos. Lewis’s dragons eat things like raw meat and other dragons – no mention of tacos. I can’t recall any other stories where someone turns into a dragon by “sleeping on a dragon’s hoard with greedy, dragonish thoughts in his heart.”
8. Does this chapter change your view of Eustace? Why or why not? If so, in what way?
Eustace shows the beginning of change in this chapter. He is able to see others as they are and is starting to see himself for what he is. I begin to see him as having a chance at becoming a better person.