Literary Elements and Techniques
What does exposition mean? What do you learn in the exposition?
The exposition is the beginning of the story. You learn who the main characters are, the setting and background information. You can even learn the inciting incident (early events in the conflict)
Explain how Mama's problem in the beginning of the story propels the plot forward
Because Mama has to go to court, it gives Jax a reason to meet Ma and learn about the magic realm through her.
Which detail best describes Jax's call to adventure?
a) I peer into the dark, cramped guard house and wonder whether Mama was right to run away from Ma. pg 53
b) There's not enough magic here to sustain these creatures. That's why they can't stay in Brooklyn. pg 53
c) I glance up the block and wonder what Ambrose and I would talk about if I chose to stay behind with him instead of going who knows where with Ma. pg 54
d) I already got left behind once today. I don't want to get left behind again...I call out "Wait! I'm coming with you, Ma. You might need a helper." pg 55
d) I already got left behind once today. I don't want to get left behind again...I call out "Wait! I'm coming with you, Ma. You might need a helper." pg 55
What does linger mean as it is used on page 26?
to stay in place or stay for longer than expected.
Which quote from page 40 most strongly supports the fact that Brooklyn has changed? Explain how this connects to problem the dragons face.
"Brooklyn ain't what it used to be. Sometimes I look around and hardly recognize the place."
Because Brooklyn has changed so much, the magic has left and the dragons can't survive in a world without magic.
What does conflict mean? What is the main conflict of chapter 7?
Conflict is the problem of the story. In chapter 7, Jax and Ma are accidentally sent to the Mesozoic Era where they get attacked by a dinosaur. Ma and Jax get separated after she sends him away in the transporter.
Review page 87. Explain how Kavita's actions contribute to the conflict of the story.
Kavita finds the dragons in Ma's purse and feeds them, not knowing that if she feeds them they'll think she's their mother. This causes problems because the dragons start to grow and begin to breathe fire. She also eventually steals one.
Reread pages 67-68. What does Jax's thoughts and words reveal about a goal he wants to accomplish (a goal locked-in)?
Jax wants to become Ma's apprentice. He wants to learn sorcery. However, he still needs to convince Ma to take him on as an apprentice even though he feels scared in the Mesozoic Era. He also tries to explain how being like his mother is a good thing for becoming an apprentice.
What does imprint mean as it is used in the animal world on page 39 and 40?
a) to make a heavy impression
b) to form a special parent-child bond
c) to step in the mud and leave a footprint
d) to behave like a lizard
b) to form a special parent-child bond
Read pages 102-103; What can be inferred about Trub?
Trub feels bad (regret) for not being there for Jax and Alicia, Jax's mom, especially after the death of Jax's father.
What is the climax in a story? Explain the climax of the novel Dragons in a Bag.
The climax is the point of highest tension in the story. The climax of the story is when Jax realized he only brought 2 dragons back to the magic realm instead of 3.
Review pages 104-105. Explain how Trub's character introduces new and important information into the story.
Through Trub we learn that Jax comes from a lineage of magic wielders. We learn that his mother does know about the magic realm but has rejected it. This causes a rift between her and her father as her father lives between both worlds.
Review pages 96, 97 and 119. Explain how Ma's decision in these scenes advance the plot?
Ma purposefully sent Jax back to the regular realm to see if he really wants to and is ready to become her apprentice. If Jax can successfully return back to her with the dragons, she knows he'll be the one to replace her in her line of work.
"What if Ma were to pass the torch to me?"
What does pass the torch mean as it is used on page 67?
Pass the torch means to teach and transfer to an apprentice a skill, knowledge or responsibility.
Read page 120, what can you infer L. Roy is wondering when he says, "or does he take after his mother?"
L.Roy is curious to see if Jax wants to be a part of the magical realm. Jax's mother rejected the magic realm and he's interested to know if Jax would do the same.
The resolution of the story means how the story gets solved or comes to an end. The conflict in the story does not get resolved because Jax has to get the last dragon from Kavita
Review page 116. Explain how L. Roy's view on the magic realm supports a theme of the novel. What theme can you infer from L. Roy's view?
L. Roy believes the regular realm and the magic realm should merge and not be separated. A theme you can infer from the novel is its important to build bridges (connections) to make the world a better place.
Review pages 123-125 What does this excerpt reveal about how Jax's feelings' start and then change with new information?
Jax was really proud to find Ma in the magic realm, thinking he successfully brought the dragons home. However, he failed to bring all three dragons back. He feels shame and guilt to have failed Ma's expectations.
What does messy extraction mean as it is used on page 140 and 141?
To remove something from somewhere with great difficulty
Read page 117, then read page 142.
What theme can we infer from these excerpts. How does Jax's thoughts and words help develop the theme of the story?
We can infer that its important to build bridges (connections) not walls (barriers) to make the world a better place.
- Jax thinks about segregation when White and Black Americans were forced to live separately.
- Ma believes the magic realm and regular realm should be separated. L. Roy believes they should merge.
- Jax wants to help Mama and Ma mend their relationship
What is theme? Explain a theme you can infer from Jax's story.
Theme is the moral, message or lesson learned in a story. We can generate many themes from Jax's adventure.
1) It is important to build bridges (connections) with others.
2) It is courageous to take responsibility for your actions
3) It is important that family stick together, no matter what
Review page 125 and 135. Explain Sis's purpose as a secondary character in the novel. Why would the author write her in as a character?
Sis's role is to doubt Jax's abilities to follow Ma's footsteps. Sis and Ma are very close and she wants Ma to live in the magic realm. She is acting as an antagonist in that she blames Jax for her dragons going missing.
Read page 142 and 149, explain which two conflicts remain unsolved at the end of the story.
Jax and Mama still have to resolve their housing issue as Mama only got a temporary hold on the eviction process. Jax also still has to get the last dragon from Kavita.
What does nomad mean as it is used on page 116?
A person who intentionally moves from place to place and doesn't have a permanent home as part of their lifestyle.
Read page 144, what does this excerpt reveal about Ma's feelings for Alicia, Jax's mom?
Ma actually loves Alicia like a daughter. She knows she was harsh and she apologizes. She says, "I know things haven't been...right between us, but you'll always be family to me."