Analyze Stig as a mythic or archetypal figure within children’s literature. How does his character resonate with broader archetypes such as the “wild man,” the outsider, or the guardian of hidden knowledge?

How does the reciprocal exchange of expertise between Barney and Stig challenge the conventional dichotomy between ‘civilized’ and ‘primitive’ worldviews? To what extent does the novel reinforce or challenge stereotypical depictions of prehistoric people?

In Chapter 4, the narrative briefly shifts from Barney’s perspective to Lou’s during the fox hunt. Analyze the structural significance of this choice. How does this external viewpoint reinforce the novel’s thematic concerns?