Fantastic Mr Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox

• Genre: Fiction; Children’s Literature; Fantasy
• Originally Published: 1970
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 600L; Grades 2-5
• Structure/Length: Approximately 112 pages; approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Mr. Fox, the protagonist, is a clever and resourceful fox who steals food from three wealthy, cruel farmers—Boggis, Bunce, and Bean—to feed his family. The central conflict arises as the farmers unite in a vengeful, obsessive attempt to capture and kill Mr. Fox, leading him to devise a plan not only to save his family but also to ensure food for all his animal friends.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of hunting and survival; mild peril; depiction of antagonism between humans and animals

Roald Dahl, Author

• Bio: Born in 1916; died in 1990; British novelist, short story writer, poet, and screenwriter; one of the world’s most beloved children’s authors; known for his wit, dark humor, and imaginative plots, often featuring children overcoming villainous adults.
• Other Works: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964); Matilda (1988); The BFG (1982); The Witches (1983)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Greed and Hubris Will Be Punished
• The Triumph of the Underdog
• The Importance of Family and Friendship

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the literary and philosophical contexts regarding the topic of greed in Dahl’s novel, which impacts the decisions of the farmers to pursue hunting Mr. Fox.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Greed and Hubris Will Be Punished, The Triumph of the Underdog, and The Importance of Family and Friendship.
• Draft and present a creative writing piece that demonstrates an understanding of how to craft an allegorical tale, based on text details.