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Should Wizard Hit Mommy? Reading with Insight, Question 1., What is the moral issue that the story raises?, Answer:, The story deals with the moral issue of the, extent of parental control over the children., How much freedom is to be given to the, children? Moreover, the story raises an issue, whether children should be allowed to remain in, an ideal world of their own or should they be, forced to accept the harsh realities of the, adult world., Question 2., How does Jo want the story to end and why?, Answer:, Jo wants a happy ending to the story. She wants, that Roger Skunk will get the smell of roses, and mommy should be punished. She wants that, the wizard should hit mommy because it is cruel, on the part of mommy to make Roger Skunk again, smell like a Skunk. As a small child, acceptability and peer appreciation is of prime, importance., Question 3., Why does Jack insist that the mother would not, be hit?, Answer:, For Jack hitting the mother was a challenge to, the parental authority. While defending Roger’s, mother, Jack is unconsciously defending his own, mother who could never be wrong. He wanted his, daughter to understand the fact that mothers, can never be wrong. In other words, parental, authority is for the benefit of a child.
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Question 4., What makes Jack feel caught in the ugly middle, position?, Answer:, Jack feels caught in the ugly middle position, because his little daughter. Jo was in a, defiant mood and wanted the wizard to hit, mommy. But Jack didn’t want to lose his, authority so he threatened her and ordered her, to sleep. He was feeling helpless in handling, his little daughter who had suddenly started, asserting her opinion. Moreover, he knew that, his wife was waiting for him to help her. So he, feels trapped and uneasy., 5. What is your stance regarding the two endings to the Roger, Skunk story?, Answer., Recognizing the young age of Jo, both the endings look a little, illogical. Jo will certainly be learning from whatever she listens and, visualizes at this age. However, Jo’s preference for how the story, should look is very beautiful. If the story ends according to Jack, Jo, will never be capable of questioning anything she considers wrong in, life since this ending emphasizes that elders are always correct in, whatever they do. But I agree with the end that Jack decides. This is, because it gives the story a touch of Jack’s personal life and makes us, see how Jack was supported by his mother. It becomes a story with a, lesson wherein Jo knows how much Jack loves his mother by his way, of defending Mommy Skunk., 6. Why is an adult’s perspective on life different from that of a, child’s?, Answer., An adult’s perspective on life is different from that of a child’s. This, is because a grown-up or adult is an experienced personality. He has, more knowledge of life since he has existed for a long time and has
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seen the harsh facts of life. A child’s mind is real, simple, and without, any fraud or double-mindedness. So, an adult’s perspective is always, separate from that of a child’s., Extra Questions, Question 1., Who is Jo? How does she respond to her father’s, storytelling?, Answer:, Jo was a four-year-old girl who was fond of, listening to stories. Every Saturday afternoon,, her father Jack used to tell a story to Jo to, put her to sleep. Jo was a very keen listener, and used to ask many questions. She even, predicted the next movement. She used to get so, much involved in the story that her facial, expression also changed accordingly., Question 2., What was the basic plot of each story told by Jack?, Answer:, Each story would have a same base tale and it would come out from, Jack’s own head. In each tale there would be a small creature, usually, named Roger (Roger Fish, Roger Squirrel, Roger Chipmunk, etc.). It, would have some problem and a wizard would solve that problem., Question 3, How did the wizard solve .the skunk’s problem?, Answer:, The wizard asked the skunk what he wanted to smell like. At this the, skunk told her that he wanted to smell like roses. The wizard took his, magic wand and chanted a spell. Soon, the whole inside of the, wizard’s house was filled with the fragrance of roses., Question 4., What ‘new phase’ had come in Jo?, Answer:
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Jo was no longer a passive listener. She had become quite inquisitive., She would ask questions if something was not clear to her., Sometimes, her questions would put Jack in an awkward situation. He, felt that his head had become empty., Question 5., Why does Jo insist that her father should tell her the story with a, different ending?, Answer:, Jo is just a child of four. Her perspective of life is different from her, father. She does not know about the harsh realities of life. According, to her, Roger Skunk was quite happy to play with her friends. But she, doesn’t know that the foul smell is the characteristic feature of a, skunk.
