Dragon, Dragon

byJohn Gardner

Review

1. What can you conclude about the dragon in this story?

• He is more of a pest than a danger.

2. In the story, the king says, “I’m not a tyrant.” What type of characterization would this be considered?

• indirect characterization

3. What one word could describe the wizard in “Dragon, Dragon”?

• incompetent

4. In “Dragon, Dragon,” which details helps you infer that the cobbler is very sensible?

• He objects to the king’s offers because they require too much responsibility.

5. Which excerpt is a direct characterization of the middle

son in A”Dragon, Dragon”?• The middle son was

very strong...

6. In “Dragon, Dragon,” who follows the wise old cobbler’s advice?

• The youngest son takes his father’s advice.

7. What happens when the youngest son recites his father’s poem to the dragon?

• The dragon begins to laugh.

8. How does the dragon in “Dragon, Dragon,” die?

• The sword falls of its own weight and cuts off the dragon’s head.

9. What happens to the cobbler’s two older sons in the story?

• Their lives are saved when they crawl out of the dead dragon.

10. What lesson do the two older brothers learn in “Dragon, Dragon”?

• Always take your father’s advice.

11. When the dragon ravages the kingdom what can you infer that the dragon really wants?

• He really wants to cause confusion and trouble.

12. In “Dragon, Dragon,” why does the king call a meeting?

• He wants to find a way to stop the dragon.

13. What are the cobbler’s thoughts at the beginning of the king’s meeting?

• He thinks he is too unimportant to attend the meeting.

14. What inference can be made from this sentence in “Dragon, Dragon”? The dragon who had seen the cobbler’s youngest son while he was still a long way off, was seated up above the door, inside the cave, waiting and smiling to himself.

• The dragon expects to surprise the youngest son.

15. When the two oldest sons are eaten by the dragon what can you infer?

• Trickery or brute force will not defeat the dragon.

Troubled or deeply annoyed

• plagued

Violently destroyed

• ravaged

Harsh, cruel ruler

• tyrant

Jealously

• enviously

Thinking seriously

• reflecting

Stretched out for a better look

• craned

16. With _____ characterization, writers make straightforward statements about a character. For example, “Ron is honest.”

direct

17. With ______ characterization, writers present a character’s thoughts, words, and actions and reveal what others say and

think about the character.

indirect

Text-Based Question

• Write an essay describing the character traits of one character from “Dragon, Dragon.” Give as much information about the character as you can. Use details from both direct and indirect characterizations in the story in your description.

Response

• Students’ essays should include at least three character traits from the character they choose. For example, they may characterize the king as vain, silly, and not very smart; the cobbler as humble, wise, and patient. Students should illustrate their description with story details.