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I am currently a high school student and in my English course now, we are discussing fables.
I am having trouble answering questions such as "What is power and how is it presented in the text."
Analyzing fables is much more difficult than analyzing books :frown5:
You don't necessarily have to look at it word by word. Consider how the two characters are portrayed - how they shift throughout the text - how they play off each other.
The lion is strong but strength is always temporary. The mouse is little but being little is not the same as weakness. The strong believe they are independent but independence is an illusionary and elusive concept. I was a soldier very fit and tough but now I'm an old dude who catches the cold and sufferers from IBS. One day I might be grateful for someone to cut the cords that bind me when I myself can no longer do it.
The teacher specifically pointed out the use of certain words such as "gnaw" but she never elaborated and so that's why I'm looking at specific words.
Is there a particular fable you are studying? a book or a reference text to rely on.
I read a lot of Jean de La Fontaine when I was a kid and also Beatrice Potter too.
Hi, we are specifically looking for "The Lion and the Mouse"
Highlighting specific words are great supporting pillars to points, but you have to have the point first. So if you look at the character of the mouse - and assess him to be the weaker of the two - then you can dive into explore what the word gnaw suggests about his weakness. But this should be done after you have deconstructed the characters.