How is her dialogue different without the sarcasm? Do you like her better? Is she less funny? Why is it funny when someone makes a sarcastic comment? Would you be able to talk without your sarcasm? What would you be willing to give up in order to save a friend?ġ0.

May gives up her sarcasm to the imp in exchange for Jack’s freedom. Why do you think it’s considered bad luck to break a mirror? What do you think it means when Merriweather and the genie are imprisoned in the mirror?ĩ. Discuss the symbolism of mirrors: reflection, seeing clearly, vanity, etc. The Magic Mirror is the powerful object at the center of the story. Is this a power you find appealing? Which animal(s) would you like to be able to change into? Can you name other stories with shape-shifters? At which points in the story would it have been helpful for Jack and May to have this power?Ĩ. The Wolf King can transform into human shape. What’s the difference? Do you think it’s better to know how to make magic or have a magical object? Why? Which magical object from the story would you like to command? Would it be more useful to have a knife that can cut anything except people, or a genie that could grant wishes?ħ. Jack tells Eudora that he has “some magical stuff” but that he can’t actually do magic. They never have any doubts.” Do you believe this? Can you give examples from this book or others to prove, or disprove, this idea? Do you think Jack is a hero? Is Phillip?Ħ. May tells Jack that “Heroes always know they’re right and always know what to do.

Do you have any common dislikes? Why is it important for a story to show both a character’s strengths and weaknesses?ĥ. From the beginning of Chapter 30, “The ride to Malevolent’s castle combined at least three of Jack’s top ten least favorite things.” Name your top ten least favorite things, and ask a few friends for their lists. At one point when things aren’t going well, May tells Jack, “This isn’t how fairy tales work.” How do fairy tales work? Is it fair to always expect there to be a “happily ever after?” How do you feel when you read or watch a story without a happy ending? Can you name a satisfying story that has an unhappy ending?Ĥ. How does the symbolism in the story affect what you’re reading it? For example, if the Wolf King were the Sheep King, how would you expect his character and motives to be different? If the Black Forest were the Orange Forest, would it still be as threatening?ģ. How many traditional characters and elements can you identify and name? In what ways do they add humor to the story? In what ways do they influence your expectations of the plot, conflict, and characters?Ģ. Half Upon a Time is full of references to fairy tales and classic stories.

Half upon a time