Chapters 1-4
What is the first place Milo sees on his journey?
Expectations
How does Milo end up in the dungeon?
The Humbug blames the disaster in the Word Market on Milo
Who is Alec Bings?
A boy about Milo's age who floats several feet off the ground and can see through things (except the thing in front of his nose).
What does Milo notice about the Valley of Sound?
There is no sound whatsoever.
Who is the Trivium?
The "demon of petty tasks and worthless jobs, ogre of wasted effort, monster of habit."
Who does Milo meet at the Doldrums?
The Lethargarians and Tock, the watchdog
Who is the "Which"?
Faintly Macabre, King Azaz's great aunt who was once in charge of choosing which words should be used for which occasions.
What happened to the City of Reality? Why isn't it as beautiful as it used to be?
The people decided things would be more efficient if they went everywhere as fast as possible and didn't bother to stop and appreciate things along the way. The city withered away without anyone noticing.
Why did the Soundkeeper lock up the sounds?
She became upset with the lack of appreciation for beautiful sounds and the rise of Doctor Discord's noises.
What is the Gelatinous Giant most afraid of?
Ideas
What is Tock's job?
To make sure that no one wastes time
Why did Azaz and the Mathemagician banish Rhyme and Reason and imprison them in the Castle in the Air?
They were arguing over whether numbers or letters are more important and brought the argument to the princesses who declared numbers and words were equally important.
Who is Chroma the Great?
He is the conductor of the orchestra that is responsible for providing all the colors in the world.
What does the Soundkeeper learn after her fortress is destroyed?
"The problem is to use each sound at the proper time." She also realizes that unpleasant sounds have value because they help us to appreciate pleasant ones.
How does Milo defeat the Demon of Insincerity?
He uses the telescope Alec Bings gives him to see the reality that the demon is a small, pathetic-looking animal.
Name the two creatures that Milo meets at the market.
The Spelling Bee and the Humbug
What events in Dicitonopolis cause Milo to realize his lack of education and decide to pursue it in the future?
In the Word Market he becomes aware of how many words there are and how few he knows. He's impressed with the Spelling Bee who can spell practically anything, he is unable to understand Officer Shrift's questions, and he's thrown into the dungeon where he vows to pursue the ability to read and write when he gets home.
What happens when Milo tries to conduct the orchestra himself?
He loses control of the colors and the sun rises and sets a full seven times. A full week passes before he gives up.
What did Milo do at the fork in the road that the Dodecahedron said was foolish?
He assumed that, because there were three choices, one of them would be right.
What do the princesses say about learning?
Learning is important but learning how to use the lessons is important too.
How did the marketplace collapse "like dominoes"?
The Humbug was fighting with the Spelling Bee and knocked them over
What gift did the king give Milo for his journey?
A box that contains all the words he knows.
What does Alec give Milo as a gift and what is its purpose?
a telescope so he can "see things as they really are"
What task does the man with no features give Milo?
Move a pile of sand, one grain at a time.
How does Milo use his gifts to defeat the demons?
The magic staff - The Faceless Gentleman
The telescope - The Demon of Insincerity
The box of words - The Gelatinous Giant
The box of sounds - The Senses Taker