Analysis on the Tale of Peter Rabbit
Characters
The protagonist in this children’s story is the main character Peter. The antagonist is Mr. McGregor who is the foe to Peter. The flat characters are those who lack depth and are one note. In this story the flat characters are Cotton-tail, Mopsy, Mrs. Rabbit and Flopsy. The round character could be Peter because he is seen as being very simple and at time very complex. The static characters include Mopsy, cottontail and Mrs. Rabbit… Peter can be said to be a dynamic character but this is not very clear as seen in his decision to change a major way.
Children can clearly relate to this book because just like Peter children are often warned by their mothers not to engage in mischievous behaviors just like going near McGregor’s garden of vegetables. The illustrations clearly tell much concerning the characters. For instance the posture of Peter shows that he stands straight and tall with his ears being straight as seen in the first 2 pictures. The third and 4th picture portrays Peter as being bended. The body language can be seen in the paws. We end up being more sympathetic to characters on the left side. Peter’s movement from right to left makes us feel sympathetic for him. His facial expression shows distance as another vital aspect.
Setting
Through the pictures we get to know of the setting of this story which is on the farm and woods, probably in an English country side. This setting adds logic to the story and it even becomes more realistic in that through the farms and forests farmers and rabbits are capable of setting. Though the setting could have been in another location, this current setting suits the story. Through the illustrations the setting is actually depicted as being that with provide a serene and soft feel and shows English country side as being realistic. The color used in the illustrations provides natural and muted tones that are natural tones inviting and soft feel.
Point-of-View
The narrator’s point of view is the 3rd person narration that allows the narrator to be more reliable. This is for the case of saying that cotton tail would have been. This makes the narration to take the traditional version of stories. The internal 1st person narration is used in this story in the vase where the narrator says that, “ I am sorry to say…” this places the readers to feel more in touch with the oral story which indicates the presence or impression of a parental narrator or some one older.
Style
Choice of words portrays the character traits of the characters. We can say that Peter I s naughty based on the words used. The mixture of long and short sentences allows time for the reader to view the pictures and to read at a much slower pace. We see more of exposition than dialogue. The adults are the ones speaking. Peter uses no any direct speech. This means that he lacks the voice and he therefore has a position that is less powerful. Also equates to the sentiments that children are not supposed to talk but to be hard from the narrator’s point of view.
Tone
I can say that the general tone is more serious and not preachy .Peter is condemned by the narrator and warns others from following his ways .there is humor mainly on visual elements as for the case of Jacket’s scare crow. Children can be amused by the idea that Peter is supposed to take medicine. A major lesson can be learned from the story in that Peter receives his punishment at the end but not linked toward the readers but by the narrator
Reference
Potter, B. (2001). The tale of peter rabbit. Ill. by Michael Hague. New York: Sea Star Books
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