What is a Fable?

Why did John Boyne write thisstory as a Fable?

A fable is a short and concise story with a moral message

A moral is a lesson about what is right or wrong – its a fundamental truth about what is acceptable behaviour

Features of Fables:

1. Short but semi-realistic narrative.2. Characters represent motives

and passions of people.3. Always aims to instruct and

improve human behaviour.4. Reader's sympathies are

unconsciously directed towardswhat is pure and honourable.

Who was the most famous fabulist?Considered the father of fables?

Who was the most famous fabulist?

Aesop

- Greek- 620 BC

The Lion and the Mouse A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying: "If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness." The Lion laughed and let him go. It happenedshortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters, who bound him by strong ropes to the ground. The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came and gnawed the rope with his teethand set him free, exclaiming: "You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you,expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; nowyou know that it is possible for even a Mouse to benefit a Lion."

What is the moral of this story?

The Lion and the Mouse A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying: "If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness." The Lion laughed and let him go. It happenedshortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters, who bound him by strong ropes to the ground. The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came and gnawed the rope with his teethand set him free, exclaiming: "You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you,expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; nowyou know that it is possible for even a Mouse to benefit a Lion."

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted

What are the morals of these fables?

The Fox and the Crow

The Raven and the Water Jug

The Hare and the Tortoise The Fox and The Toad

Techniques that John Boyne uses

Repetition of a sentence or phrase – called structural patterning

Why does John Boyne do this?

What is the effect on you as a reader?

What is the effect on the story?

Tap out the rhythm, pay attention to punctuation – note the poetic features

Techniques that John Boyne uses

Use of stock characters - Sterotypes

Why does John Boyne do this?

What is the effect on you as a reader?

What is the effect on the story?

Techniques that John Boyne uses

Symbols

Why does John Boyne do this?

What is the effect on you as a reader?

What is the effect on the story?

Was the ending sad or positive?

Or Both?

Why does John Boyne do this?

What is the effect on you as a reader?

What is the effect on the story?