8. Discuss the romance between Geric and Ani. How would Geric describe her? Why does their relationship bloom and then wilt? Are you surprised by Ani’s getting married at such a young age? Are you surprised to learn Geric’s true identity?
9. Once in the forest, Selia’s treatment of Ani becomes obviously hostile, culminating when she proclaims, “Royalty is not a right, Captain. The willingness of the people to follow a ruler is what gives her power. Here in this place, by this people, I have been chosen" (p. 79). Do you agree with Selia’s assessment? Is this action similar to those taken by others throughout history who wished to gain power over their own destinies? By the end of the story, how does Ani fit Selia’s definition of royalty?
10. At first Ani believes the handkerchief her mother gives her is protecting her, but after the tragic events in the forest, she realizes "the idea was completely ridiculous, a bed-tale, a lie" (p. 88). Why is this an important moment for Ani? How does it serve her for the rest of the novel? What ideas or objects do you cling to when you face difficult times?
11. What do you think Ani’s mother, brothers, and sisters would say if they learned how she saved their kingdom from annihilation? Do you think they would regret how they treated her? What would Ani’s aunt say? Whose approval do you think would be most important to Ani? Why?
12. On cold evenings Ani joins the other animal workers and roasts nuts by the fire and learns to play games. For the first time in her life, Ani must learn to build friendships with people who are not paid to be her companions. What skills does she develop? How does she turn these strangers, especially Enna, into such dear friends that they are willing to endanger their lives for her?
13. Although Ani has the gift of animal-speaking, she is forced to hide it from others. How would her life have been different had this been a valued gift in her own kingdom? Have you ever known someone who has hidden his or her talents? Would you feel comfortable exhibiting yours at all times?
14. Ani is often described as having bird-like qualities, while Selia is described as cat-like. How does that inform your reading of the characters, their relationship, and their choices?
15. In traditional fairy tales, the main character is often rescued by another person. In this modern adaptation, Ani is able to save herself by learning to harness her own gifts and by overcoming her inadequacies with people. Do you think one type of story is more valuable than the other? Which story would you rather read?
16. The author, Shannon Hale, based The Goose Girl on a Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale. “I felt it was important to make the setting as close to the original tale’s setting as I could,” she has said. “I wanted it to feel like a place we know, a place that is here somewhere, but in the past, just as tales are about us but long ago. To do that, I based Bayern loosely on the Germany of old, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. This is not a true historical setting, but resources such as the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus helped me build a foundation for what I hoped would be a believable and familiar world.” What details of the setting are your favorites? Why? Does it seem familiar or true to you? Why or why not? Do you think it is important for an author of fantasy to pay close attention to a setting’s detail? Why or why not?
17. Fairy tales often share common characteristics—the use of the number three, magical elements, transformations, misleading appearances, and the conquest of good over evil. Additionally, the hero or heroine is often infallible. Which elements did Shannon Hale decide to incorporate into The Goose Girl? Which ones did she omit? Why do you think so? What makes a fairy tale different from other types of stories?
18. Discuss this quote from the author: "Tales are fascinating things. They seem to me to be the poetry of history—all the superfluous bits are worn down, tossed away, leaving only the sharpest images, the strongest words, the barest stories. But those stories survive. To do so, I believe they must hold some real human truth. They speak to each reader in a different way, and yet appeal universally to readers and storytellers over decades and centuries.” Do you agree with the author? What do you think she means by the phrase "real human truth"? How is this shown throughout the novel?
19. If you were a writer, what could you learn from this book?
20. If you were to produce a movie of The Goose Girl, whom would you cast in each role? Why would you pick these particular actors?
A Note on the Author
received a Newbery Honor for her book Princess Academy. She is the author of The Goose Girl, Enna Burning, and the forthcoming companion book, River Secrets. She and her husband are currently working on a graphic novel together. They live with their son in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Visit Shannon at www.shannonhale.com.
Praise for THE GOOSE GIRL
“[An] affecting debut novel... Those who enjoy getting lost in an enchanted world will discover here a satisfying and richly embellished retelling of a classic that communicates values still pertinent to contemporary readers.”
—Publishers Weekly
“In this rich, layered, and enchanting fairy-tale, love, loyalty, and hard work play as strong a role as magic.
Both Ani’s and Hale’s are talents to celebrate.”
—VOYA
“A beautifully textured and deeply re-imagined version of the Grimm Brothers Goose Girl. . . . Luscious language . . . leads to a gorgeous, dramatic climax.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A fine adventure tale full of danger, suspense, surprising twists, and a satisfying conclusion.
The engaging plot can certainly carry the tale, but Hale’s likable, introspective heroine makes this also a book about courage and justice in the face of overwhelming odds. The richly rendered, medieval folkloric setting adds to the charm.”
—Booklist
“Hale weaves a complex pattern of magic and romance in this intense coming-of-age tale. Lyrical language supplies a sensual energy that subtly infuses the text. This novel [is] a journey worth taking.”
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Copyright © 2003 by Shannon Hale
First published by Bloomsbury U.S.A. 2003
This edition published 2005
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Published by Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Distributed to the trade by Holtzbrinck Publishers
The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:
Hale, Shannon.
Goose girl / by Shannon Hale.
p. cm.
Summary: On her way to marry a prince she's never met, Princess Anidori is betrayed by her guards and her lady-in-waiting and must become a goose girl to survive until she can reveal her true identity and reclaim the crown that is rightfully hers.
eISBN: 978-1-59990-407-8
[I. Fairy Tales. 2. Princesses—Fiction. 3. Human-animal communication—Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ8.HI34 Go 2003 [Fie]—dc2I 2002028336
Typeset in Centaur by Dorchester Typesetting Group Ltd.
Printed in the U.S.A.
10
All papers used by Bloomsbury U.S.A. are natural, recyclable producrs made from wood grown in well-managed forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.
Shannon Hale, The Goose Girl
(Series: The Books of Bayern # 1)
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