Poppy

Chapters 1-4 provide exposition and establish the primary conflicts that drive the narrative’s events. Chapter 1 begins the action in media res (“in the middle of things”), concluding with a major character death that has important consequences for the protagonist and drives her choices throughout the novel. Chapter 2 offers exposition on the relationship between the mice and Mr. Ocax and the rules that govern their lives. Chapters 3 and 4 then establish the conflicts between Poppy and Mr. Ocax and between Poppy and her family, introducing the themes of The Nature of Tyranny and Heroism and The Importance of Challenging Assumptions.

Chapter 1 introduces both protagonist and antagonist, as well as the inciting incident that catalyzes the conflict that indirectly pushes Poppy forward onto her hero’s quest. The novel opens from Mr. Ocax’s third person limited perspective, and it is immediately clear that the owl is the antagonist. The narrator uses figurative language to suggest the owl’s villainy: The owl “looked like death himself” (1), an image which immediately conveys Mr. Ocax’s menacing nature to the reader. The narrative changes narration to Poppy’s limited perspective before shifting into a third person omniscient perspective, exploring the events from both Poppy’s and Mr. Ocax’s perspectives simultaneously.

Both Poppy’s and Mr. Ocax’s initial characterizations are established, preparing them for later development. Poppy begins her arc as a “timid” (3) mouse. While Ragweed urges her to be reckless and disregard Mr. Ocax’s rules, Poppy is frightened of the potential consequences. Ragweed’s death only reinforces her fear, as afterwards she vows to never leave home again (14). This initial refusal to face her fear mimics the beginning stages of a classic hero’s journey, wherein the hero rejects the call to adventure before ultimately accepting it. Poppy’s refusal positions her for development in her character arc, as she slowly finds her courage and chooses to leave home without permission to save her family from Mr. Ocax.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ocax’s characterization is much more menacing. The diction used in the narration establishes the owl’s role in the forest, as he considers its creatures “his subjects—and his dinners” (1). The power he wields over the other animals is clear: He is the predator and they are the prey. His goals are unambiguous: he wants to eat the mice, but beyond that, he also wants to control them through fear. He considers mice to be “the best eating, to be sure, but better still, they were the most fearful, and Mr. Ocax found deep satisfaction in having others afraid of him” (2). His delight in their fear moves him beyond a simple predator—he is like the archetypal villain who delights in the pain of others and is focused only on maintaining his own power. These traits, particularly the desire to control through fear, mimic those of a dictator; this establishes the theme of The Nature of Tyranny and Heroism. While Poppy is positioned to evolve into the role of hero, Mr. Ocax is immediately established as a tyrant.

Chapter 2 uses flashback to contextualize Mr. Ocax’s role in the mice’s lives. Avi uses dialogue to suggest the dynamics between Ragweed, Poppy, and Lungwort, which establishes the theme of The Importance of Challenging Assumptions. When Lungwort instructs Poppy and her siblings on Mr. Ocax and his rules, Ragweed questions the owl’s intent and points out the inconsistencies in his story, such as the logic behind Mr. Ocax restricting the mice’s movements to protect them from porcupines. Lungwort’s responses as he “snaps” (11) and “sputters” (13) against what he calls “stupid questions” (14) convey his blind loyalty to the status quo Mr. Ocax has established.

At the same time, Ragweed’s questioning nature foreshadows the importance of challenging the assumption of Mr. Ocax’s power. His boldness later inspires Poppy when she considers the possibility of Mr. Ocax’s weakness. Later, Lungwort’s disdain for free thinking and his unquestioning adherence to Mr. Ocax’s rules creates a character versus society conflict for Poppy, as she questions Mr. Ocax’s insidious control over her family, going against the accepted rules.  

Chapter 3 splits narration between Poppy and Mr. Ocax, establishing a juxtaposition between them through which the narrative develops its theme on The Nature of Tyranny and Heroism. In Chapter 3, narration alternates between the two characters in a balanced manner, giving the prose a cinematic quality and offering the reader an omniscient perspective of both characters during the moment of the hunt. This increases the tension of the moment, but also enables the reader to understand the predator-prey relationship between the two characters, supporting their roles within the narrative and in relation to each other. Avi utilizes Mr. Ocax’s perspective at other key moments to add complexity to his character and develop his vulnerabilities; here, he uses it to foreshadow the overarching conflict of the narrative: “If mice began to get notions that they could escape [Mr. Ocax], there would be no end of trouble” (21).

Chapter 4 introduces another primary conflict in the narrative: the mice’s need for a new home. With it come Poppy’s fears of being recognized by Mr. Ocax, reinforcing the personal conflict between them. The “revulsion” (26) Poppy feels towards her father for his easy acquiescence to Mr. Ocax’s authority establishes the conflict between Poppy and her family, as it suggests her divergence from the accepted sentiments and indicates that she has a more discerning perspective than the rest of the mice. At the end of Chapter 4, Poppy is positioned to come face-to-face with Mr. Ocax again, placing her into circumstances that will drive her closer to embarking on her hero’s quest.