Poppy

Chapters 9-12 feature the first stages of Poppy’s hero journey. Now outside her familiar world, she undergoes new trials and gains new knowledge that transforms her perspective on her world, driving her closer to the object of her quest. Poppy meets new allies and tests herself against new threats, developing her courage and role as hero.

Chapter 9 alternates third person limited narration between Poppy and Mr. Ocax, a decision which introduces new juxtapositions between them. In particular, Poppy’s realization that “a live mouse is an alert mouse” (66) and Mr. Ocax’s maxim that “an alert owl is a well-fed owl” (68) parallel their situations. The parallel emphasizes the predator-prey relationship while simultaneously connecting them through the motif of fear. The author uses the repetition of “alertness” to reinforce this parallel. Fear and the need for vigilance unites these characters in this moment—yet the motivations for, and consequences of it, are entirely different. Poppy’s alertness keeps her alive, while Mr. Ocax’s enables him to prey on the weak. Avi uses the split perspectives here to demonstrate that although both creatures deal with fear, their natural responses to it determine their roles as either heroes or tyrants, reinforcing the novel’s theme on The Nature of Tyranny and Heroism.

Chapter 10 introduces the new setting of Dimwood Forest. At first, the forest is a fearsome place for Poppy: It is “as if the sun had been stolen […] Hovering over everything was a silence as deep as the trees were tall” (75-76). Poppy’s perception of the forest reflects where she is in her character arc: moving forward, yet still partially inhibited by fear. Later, as Poppy’s courage evolves and she begins to unravel some of Mr. Ocax’s deceptions, her perspective of Dimwood Forest changes. Its initial characterization here reinforces Poppy’s characterization at the present stage in her arc. 

Avi uses alternating third person limited points of view again in Chapter 10 to develop Mr. Ocax. The owl’s internal monologue reveals his vulnerabilities: “At first [Mr. Ocax] tried to deny the fear he felt inside him […] That he, Ocax, the great horned owl, should feel fear made him livid. It was for others to be fearful, not him [...] No matter what, his fearfulness must never be known!” (78). His motivations stem from his desire to maintain control; instead of facing fear and helping others, he avoids fear and asserts his power. The moments from Mr. Ocax’s perspective also confirm Poppy’s suspicions about the possibility of finding something at New House that will defeat Mr. Ocax, as he despairs at the sight of an unnamed thing at New House, something which makes “all his hopes evaporate” (74). While these moments prompt empathy for Mr. Ocax, they ultimately reinforce his role as a tyrant by demonstrating that his reaction to fear is not compassion, but cruelty. 

Ereth the porcupine is introduced in Chapter 11, and with his introduction comes new knowledge that challenges Poppy’s perceptions of her world, developing the theme on The Importance of Challenging Assumptions. Ereth is the very creature Poppy would least want to befriend; as far as she knows, porcupines are her primary predator. However, by indirectly challenging her assumptions about his species, Poppy gives herself the opportunity to learn the truth—porcupines are not mouse-eaters in the slightest. Through this, Poppy realizes Mr. Ocax’s lies, revealing important truths about how the owl has used fear to maintain control of the mice. Ereth continues to be a key character in the challenging assumptions theme throughout the novel, as he encourages Poppy both directly and indirectly to question what she thinks she knows. 

Chapter 12 introduces Poppy’s first steps into unravelling Mr. Ocax’s lies, developing both the fear motif and The Importance of Challenging Assumptions. Poppy realizes in Chapter 12 that beyond Mr. Ocax lying about the danger of porcupines, his methods of control have been far more insidious: He has deliberately manipulated the information the mice receive from him. This prompts implicit consideration of how assumptions become established, particularly when systems of oppression are at fault, reinforcing the thematic statement on the importance of looking beyond them. 

At the end of Chapter 12, Poppy and Ereth prepare to embark towards New House. Poppy gains an ally for the next stage of her journey, which draws her ever-closer to the site of the final confrontation. Poppy’s collaboration with Ereth signals that she has progressed deeper into the world of the quest on her hero’s journey, as the plot moves into its final stages of rising action preceding the climax.