Dragon, Dragon

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Dragon, Dragon

• by
• John Gardner
• Review

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What can you conclude about the dragon in this
story?

• He is more of a pest than a danger.

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2. In the story, the king says, Im not a
tyrant. What type of characterization would
this be considered?

• indirect characterization

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3. What one word could describe the wizard
in Dragon, Dragon?

• incompetent

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4. In Dragon, Dragon, which details helps
you infer that the cobbler is very sensible?

• He objects to the kings offers because they
  require too much responsibility.

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5. Which excerpt is a direct
characterization of the middle son in
ADragon, Dragon?

• The middle son was very strong...

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6. In Dragon, Dragon, who follows the wise
old cobblers advice?

• The youngest son takes his fathers advice.

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7. What happens when the youngest son
recites his fathers poem to the dragon?

• The dragon begins to laugh.

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8. How does the dragon in Dragon, Dragon,
die?

• The sword falls of its own weight and cuts off
  the dragons head.

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9. What happens to the cobblers two older
sons in the story?

• Their lives are saved when they crawl out of the
  dead dragon.

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10. What lesson do the two older brothers
learn in Dragon, Dragon?

• Always take your fathers advice.

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11. When the dragon ravages the kingdom
what can you infer that the dragon really
wants?

• He really wants to cause confusion and trouble.

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12. In Dragon, Dragon, why does the king
call a meeting?

• He wants to find a way to stop the dragon.

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13. What are the cobblers thoughts at the
beginning of the kings meeting?

• He thinks he is too unimportant to attend the
  meeting.

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14. What inference can be made from this
sentence in Dragon, Dragon? The dragon
who had seen the cobblers youngest son
while he was still a long way off, was
seated up above the door, inside the
cave, waiting and smiling to himself.

• The dragon expects to surprise the youngest son.

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15. When the two oldest sons are eaten by
the dragon what can you infer?

• Trickery or brute force will not defeat the
  dragon.

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Troubled or deeply annoyed

• plagued

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Violently destroyed

• ravaged

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Harsh, cruel ruler

• tyrant

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Jealously

• enviously

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Thinking seriously

• reflecting

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Stretched out for a better look

• craned

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16. With _____ characterization, writers
make straightforward statements about a
character. For example, Ron is honest.
direct
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17. With ______ characterization, writers
present a characters thoughts, words, and
actions and reveal what others say and
think about the character.
indirect
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Text-Based Question

• Write an essay describing the character traits of
  one character from Dragon, Dragon. Give as much
  information about the character as you can. Use
  details from both direct and indirect
  characterizations in the story in your
  description.

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Response

• Students essays should include at least three
  character traits from the character they choose.
  For example, they may characterize the king as
  vain, silly, and not very smart the cobbler as
  humble, wise, and patient. Students should
  illustrate their description with story details.