Identifying & Managing Feelings
How Ella feels when she is forced to do things against her will due to her obedience curse.
Frustrated, angry, or trapped.
Ella knows she has a curse of obedience. Recognizing her own limitations and vulnerabilities is an example of what core SEL competency?
Answer: Self-Awareness.
When Hattie demands that Ella give her things, Ella tries to find loopholes to protect herself. This is an early form of what crucial life skill?
Answer: Self-Advocacy / Setting Boundaries
Ella considers Mandy to be her closest friend. What makes a trustworthy and supportive relationship?
Answer: Mutual respect, honesty, and active listening.
When Ella runs away, Mandy supports her by providing a safe, calming environment. What is this emotional regulation tool called?
Answer: A safe space / having a support system.
What are Ella’s greatest personal strengths that help her overcome her curse?
Answer: Determination, intelligence, creativity, and a strong sense of self.
How does Lucinda’s "gift" violate Ella's personal boundaries and bodily autonomy?
Answer: It forces Ella to do things without her permission.
Char and Ella connect deeply. How does their relationship demonstrate effective communication and teamwork?
Answer: They share their ideas openly, listen to each other's perspectives, and work together to resolve conflicts (like dealing with the ogres).
Ella uses creative problem-solving (like running away or wearing disguises) to handle high-stress situations. Why is this a healthy way to manage emotions?
Answer: It allows her to step away from a trigger and maintain control over her choices.
Identify a limiting belief Ella had about herself and explain how she overcame it.
Answer: She initially felt helpless because of the curse, but she learned she could fight it through sheer willpower and self-advocacy.
Why are "asking" and "demanding" fundamentally different when it comes to healthy relationships?
Answer: "Asking" respects the other person's right to say no, whereas "demanding" removes consent.
What challenges do Ella and the elves face, and how does learning about others' cultural needs build empathy?
Answer: The elves are oppressed and forced into singing and dancing. Listening to their struggles teaches Ella to respect others' boundaries.
What emotion drives Dame Olga’s mistreatment of Ella, and how could she have handled it better?
Answer: Jealousy; she could have practiced empathy instead of acting out of greed.
Lucinda refuses to acknowledge how her "gifts" harm others. What SEL skill does Lucinda lack?
Answer: Social Awareness / Empathy
Ella travels in disguise to avoid Hattie and the elves. Setting physical or emotional distance between yourself and a bully is known as what?
Answer: Assertiveness / Protecting one's peace.
Ella's father doesn't listen to her feelings and rushes into a bad marriage. What communication style is he using?
Answer: A passive or aggressive style (he lacks active listening and empathy).
Describe a time when Ella had an emotional trigger, and explain how she successfully regulated her response.
Answers will vary, some examples include when ordered to give up her mother’s jewelry, she cleverly hid it or spoke up to delay the demand, and more.
Ella writes a book about her own life at the end. How does journaling and reflecting on one's journey build self-awareness?
Answer: It helps a person process past events, understand their growth, and recognize their own resilience.
How does Ella ultimately break her curse, and what does this represent about personal consent?
Answer: She disobeys a direct command because she knows it will harm the person she loves; it shows her complete ownership of her own mind and body.
How can a character's good intentions unintentionally cause harm, and how do we resolve this in a relationship? (Think about Char or Dame Olga).
Answer: Good intentions do not excuse hurtful actions; it requires taking accountability, apologizing, and changing future behavior.