Where the Wild Things Are by Maximus Fadlalla

What, exactly, is the archetypal task? How is it completed? (Max)

mfadlalla4916 — 2024-01-12 20:05:54 UTC

The archetypal task was Max's journey to confront and tame the wild creatures, representing his own wild emotions. He stared at them and the wild things were scared so they deemed him as "the most wild thing of all and made him king" (Sendak 22-23). Completing the task and becoming the king of the wild things has a way of showing that sometimes we need to confront our fears and emotions and grow from it.

How does the rule of three operate in the story? What is its significance? (Max)

mfadlalla4916 — 2024-01-12 20:14:03 UTC

The rule of three is used in many ways throughout the story. However, the main way it was used was to emphasize the transformation of Max's relationship with the Wild Things. First, he takes them by staring into their yellow eyes without blinking. Second, he declares himself as the king amongst all of them. Lastly, he "sent the wild things off to bed without their supper" (Sendak 32). The rule of three helps build progression and essentially adds structure and significance to Max's journey.

Who is the magical child? How is he different from the other children? How is he "marked"? What are his magical qualities? (Elijah)

eidio3602 — 2024-01-12 20:14:35 UTC

The Magical child is Max. He is highly imaginative and impulsive. He is seemingly very emotional as well. His mark is his his signature "wolf suit". His magical qualities include his determination, mischievousness, and being able to "control" the Wild Things. "Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind" (Sendak 4). This quote describe Max to a tee. He wears a wolf suit and is highly mischievous. Like when he tells his mom he is going to "eat [her] up!" (Sendak 8). This is an example of when Max shows his more impulsive and emotional side.

Why does Max wear a wolf suit? (Emily)

2024-01-12 20:26:55 UTC

Max wears the wolf suit to be more connected with the wild side he has to him that night. Sendek begins to establish "The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind" which causes him to make a fort out of bed sheets and scares away his dog. While wearing the suit he becomes misbehaved and causes mischief. His mother had enough of the behavior and called him " WILD THING" that started with Max putting on the suit. Later on throughout the story you can see that Max continues to wear the suit and feels happy to be accepted with the "wild things" but towards the end of the story realizes nothing is better then being himself at home and he starts to take the wolf suit off.

What is the magic? What wisdom or wickedness does the magic represent? (Elijah)

eidio3602 — 2024-01-12 20:31:43 UTC

Max's "magic" is his ability to get lost in his mind & thoughts when overcome with immense emotion. This is what the entire book seems to be about. A boy who uses his "magic" to avoid his punishment for yelling at his mom. There is a more wicked aspect to his "magic". As he uses it to get away from his mom and the consequences involved with that. In the end though, it seems, at least subconsciously, that he realizes his mom is right, "And Max the King of All Wild Things was lonely and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all" (Sendak 32). This shows that Max's magic isn't all that wicked, it only shows that it's fueled by his emotions.

What Does The Food Represent, And What's The Meaning of it Being "still hot"? (Ren)

rgonzalez8283 — 2024-01-12 20:36:19 UTC

Food plays a vital part in many cultures, traditions, and stories as a source of life; however in 'Where the Wild Things Are' Sendak uses it as the lesson of the story. The appearance of food, even after previously being denied it for making "mischief of one kind or another" and telling his mom that he would eat her shows ideas that many young kids reading the book might not understand (4-6). Kids at the young age that Max is in the story often don't consider the feelings of other people or understand that some of their actions might have repercussions. Max messed up the house, terrorized the dog and threatened his mother and thought that he would be able to get away with it. rightfully, his mother sent him to bed without food because he decided to disrespect the one making it. Max doesn't see this altercation as rightfully deserved and thus escapes through his imagination, the food being there when he comes back shows to Max and kids reading that even if your mom or dad does something that you don't like, it doesn't mean that they don't love you.

A similar theme is present when looking into why the food "was still hot" as well (). Even though Max ran away from his mom she still loves him because that's her son, just like how Max still loves his mom even though in the moment he decided that he didn't like her. there being heat still in the food is meant to symbolize what no matter how long it takes for Max to come home their love for each other will always be there.

Who is the helpless central character? Are there multiple? How could we see this through multiple perspectives? (Max)

mfadlalla4916 — 2024-01-12 20:39:41 UTC

The central character is a young boy named Max and he is only the named character in the book. He is portrayed as the helpless character who embarks on a wild adventure. Through multiple perspectives, we can see Max's journey from his own point of view as he confronts the wild things, but we can also interpret it from the perspective of the Wild Things as well. They exhibit their reaction to Max's arrival and presence as well as his actions. As Max left, the Wild Things "roared their terrible roars and gnashed there terrible teeth" as they did not want him to go (Sendak 35).

Who is the 'Other' in "Where the Wild Things are"?

rgonzalez8283 — 2024-01-12 20:41:43 UTC

From each perspective you view the story at you can intermediate a different character as 'The Other'

Who is the Magical Child saving from what? What is the lesson? (Elijah)

eidio3602 — 2024-01-16 20:39:26 UTC

Max is saving himself from his overactive emotions and this fake reality he conjured up for himself. He goes into the wild to cool off and reflect on the things he is feeling. He tells the Wild Things "No!" when they ask him to stay, they even said the would "eat [him] up" (Sendak 34). The Wild Things represent his overactive emotions, and by telling them "no" he is relinquishing the power those emotions have against him. The lesson is that you must always be able to take a step back and reflect when things get tough.

Why does he leave his mother? (Emily)

2024-01-17 07:19:16 UTC

Max had decided one night that he was going to put on a wolf suit and cause some mischief. His mother had had enough and called him a " WILD THING". Max who was not happy with his mothers name calling decided to yell back " ill eat you up" this caused Max to get sent to bed without dinner. Max was upset and angered at how his mother was treating him and instead of staying in his room he used his imagination to go where he can truly be a "wild thing" and went off in a boat. Max was then filled with enjoyment that he can finally misbehave with the wild things but when it got to much he ended up sending them to bed without supper. Max then realized in that moment that he shouldn't have been acting that way towards his mother and she was trying to do what was best for him, she was the one who truly loved him.

What ,really, is the " wild rumpus"? (Emily)

2024-01-17 07:33:16 UTC

When Max arrived where the wild things lived he was then declared king of the wild things. The first thing as king was to "Let the wild rumpus start!", this lead to the wild things and Max to hang from trees and dancing throughout the night. The wild rumpus could be what Max thought he wanted all along and that was to be as crazy and he could do everything he wanted to without his mother there to stop his actions. The wild rumpus was even to much for Max to handle because after a while he ended up stopping the wild things from continuing the rumpus.