Shoul dWi zardHi tMommy?
Themeoft hest or y
Thestoryraisesamoralissuewhether parentsshoulddecidewhatthechildren shoulddoorletthechildrendowhat
theyliketodo.Italsodealswithchild innocencerepresentedbyJoandthe adultperspectiverepresentedbyJake.
Joislikemostchildrenwhodream and liveintheirownmagicalworld.They arefarremovedfrom uglinessand pettydifferences.Theyarepureat heart.Jackinventsstoriesandthe plotshecreatesdealsubconsciously
withhisownexperiencesand
complexes.Thestoryalsodealswith thethemethatparentsknowwhatis bestforthechildreneventhoughthe childrenmaynotrealiseit.
Just i fi cat i onofTi t l e
Thetitleisjustifiedasthestory revolvesaroundthequestionof
understanding.Inthestorywithina story,thedaughterdesiresforan
endingwheretheskunkisacceptable tohisplaymates.However,thefather endedthestorywheretheskunk’sreal self-remainedintact.Thestoryisdealt withfrom severalperspectives;the
adultandthechildren.Thetitleisan
openquestionputtothereaderto
attemptaninterrogation,analysisand togiveaverdict.Thetitleinvokes
curiosityinthereaderandattaches
importancetothejudgementpassedas itwouldreflectthereader’s
understandingofsystems.Theauthor hasdeliberatelyleftthetitleopen-
ended.
Summar yoft hest or y
ThestorybeginswhenJackistelling storiestohisfour-year-olddaughterJo toputhertosleeponSaturday
evenings.Allthesestoriesaremadeup byhim.Thisstartedtwoyearsago.
Everystoryisavariationofthesame
taleanditstartswiththesameRoger Animal.Hewouldgotothewiseowlto solvehisproblems.Theowlwilldirect him tothewizardwhowoulddomagic andsolvehisproblemsanddemand moneyinreturn.Rogerwouldbeshort ofmoneyandwouldgotoawellas
directedbythewizardandwillgetthe moneyfrom thereandwouldpayhim off.Hewouldbehappytosolvehis problemsandwouldplaywithhis
friendshappily.Hisfatherwouldreturn onthetrainandthefamilywouldhavea deliciousdinner.Thatday,Jowantsitto beaRogerSkunk’sstorywhosmells
verybadandthatiswhynoother
animalwantstoplaywithhim.Theywill
teasehim saying‘StinkySkunk’.Roger wouldcry.Atthispoint,Jostarts
feelingconnectedwiththecharacter andshealsostartscrying.Joinsistson sendingRogerSkunktotheowl.This reactionofJosurprisesfatherandhe realisesthegrowingchangesinthe child.Finally,theowldirectsRoger Skunktothewizardandhegetsthe
smellofroses.Skunkistoohappyand runsintothewood.Alltheanimals
gatheraroundSkunkandtheyallplay games.
WhenSkunkreacheshome,hismother isannoyedanddoesn’tlikethatsmell. Shetakeshim backtothewizardand
hitshim ontheheadandordershim to restoreSkunk’searliersmell.Jo
doesn’tlikethis.Sheisangryatthe behaviourofRoger’smother.She
wantsthewizardtohitRoger’smommy.
Butfatherdisagreesanddefends Skunk’smothersayingmothersare alwaysright.ButJoisadamantand angry.Joargueswithherfatherbut fatherexertshisauthorityasthe
storytelleranddoesn’tchangeit.So finallyRogerSkunkcomesbackhome withhismommyandgraduallyother animalsalsogetusedtohissmelland startplayingwithhim.
Jodisagreesthatthiscanhappenand
refusestosleep.Shewantsanother storyinwhichmommyishit.ButJack refusesandconfrontsJoandthreatens andordershertosleep.Heisina
dilemmabecauseheknowsthathis
pregnantwifeisworkingdownstairsall aloneandhemusthelpher.Hefeels
trappedanduneasy,caughtina difficultsituation.
QUESTIONS&ANSWERS
Q1.CharacterSketchofJack.
Ans.Jackistheprotagonistofthe
story‘ShouldWizardHitMommy?’The storyexaminestheissueofparenting, theadulttendencytoquellthe
questioningmindofachildandthe
beliefthattheviewpointoftheadultis theonlyvalidone.Jackisconsciousof hisdutiesasafatherandahusband.
Hehasbeentellingstoriestohis
daughterJosinceshewastwoyears old,forherSaturdayandeveningnaps, butnowtwoandahalfyearslaterheis fatiguedandconfusedbyherconstant questioning,pointingerrors(Rogerfish
insteadofskunk),askingfor clarificationsandsuggesting
alternatives.Hehasthetypicalparental attitudeandopinionthatparentsknow whatisbestfortheirchildrenand
stiflesherobjectionsandamendments shownbyhisdefendingtheskunk’s
motherandindirectlyhisown.
Jackfeelscaughtinanuglymiddle positionphysically,emotionallyand
mentally.Hedidnotlikewomentotake anythingforgranted,totheextentthat heextendsthestoryandchangesthe ending,givingitthefacethathewants to.Thisdespitethefactthatheknows thatheshouldbehelpinghispregnant wifepaintthewoodwork.Jackis
someonewhoisnotusedtohis
authoritybeingquestionedandsois
confusedbyJo’squestioning.Thougha lovingparenthefindsithardtoaccept thefactthatJonowhasamindofher own.Hisinsensitivityandimpatience comesacrossinhisdealingswithhis daughter,andthefactthatanasthe viewpointisbiasedbypersonal
experiences.
Q2.Whatisthemoralissuethatthe storyraises?
Ans.Thestoryshowstheconflict betweentwogenerations.Ittellsus
aboutthebelief,oftheoldergeneration, incustomsandtraditionsand
constantlyquestioningtheattitudeof theyoungergeneration,hence
contributingtoagenerationgap.Not understandingherson’soriginal
lonelinessanddejection,Skunk’s
mothergetshissmellchangedtohis originalfoulsmellandloveshim the wayheis,raisingthemoralissueof whetherparentsshouldalwaysdecide whatthechildrenshoulddoorletthe childrendowhattheyliketodo.Thereis anevidentcontrastbetweenanadult’s perspectiveonlifeandtheworldview ofalittlechild.Jowantsthewizardto hitmommyandnotviceversabecause sherepresentsthenewgeneration
knewnottoagreewithherfather’sview.
Jacksumsuptheissueinone
sentence-`Sheknewwhatwasright’. Jackalsosaysthatthelittleskunk
agreedtothemother’sproposal
becausehelovedhismothermorethan theotheranimals.LittleJofeelsthat theskunk’smothershouldnothave
robbedherlittlesonofthepleasurehe derivedw.enplayingwiththeother
animalswhenhesmeltofroses.She insiststhatthewizardKeepinghitthe mommyontheheadandcallslittle skunk’smothera`StupidMommy’
keepingto.herviewpoint,sheinsisted thatherfathershouldtellherthestory thenextdayinadifferentmanner.So weseethatthestorydealswithmoral
issuesdependentonthedifferent levelsofmaturityofJackandJo.
Q3.Doyouconsiderthetitle appropriateandjustified?
Ans.Thetitle‘ShouldWizardhit
Mommy’isjustified.Itfocusesthe readers’attentiononthetwowell- wishersofthemaincharacterRoger Skunk.ThewizardmakesRogersmell ofroses.Mommyskunkhitsthewizard andmakeshim restorethebadodour ofskunk.Thereaderispresentedwith twodifferentopinions.Thefather,Jack, hasagreatreverenceformothersand doesnotconsidermotherskunk’s
hittingthewizardobjectionable.
However,Jo,forwhom thewizardis
verygood,condemnsthemother.She demandsthatinthestorythenextday, thewizardhitthemommy.
Theauthorhasdeliberatelykeptthe storyopen-endedanddoesnottakea decision.Heseeksthereactionofthe readerwhetherthe‘mommy’needsto behitornot.Hedoessobyputtinga questionmarkattheendofthetitle makingthetitleappropriate.
Q4.HowdoesJowantthestorytoend?
Why?WhatlightdoesitthrowonJo’s character?
Ans.Jowantedthestorytoendwith Rogerbeingacceptedbytheother animals.InJack’sversion,thewizard washitbymommy.Jodidnotrelish
this.Thewizardwasthepersonwho fulfilledeveryone’swishes.Hehadrid Rogerskunkofthebadodour.Soshe wantedherfathertoendthestorywith RogerSkunkhavinganewandpleasant smellandthewizardspankingthe
stupid‘mommy’.
Jowouldgettotallyinvolvedinthe
story.Sheevenshedatearorso,when thewoodlandcreaturesspurnedRoger. Shecouldnotbearinjusticetothe
wizardby`Mommy,skunk.Shewanted theendingofthestorytochangein
whichthebenevolentWizardhits mommyforbeinginconsiderateto
Roger’sneedforacceptancebyfriends.
Shewasindependentinherthinking.Jo remainsunconvincedbythefather’s
argumentthatmothersarealwaysright. 5.Thesamesituationcanbeviewed
throughtwodifferentperspectives.
Howdoes‘ShouldWizardHitMommy?’
establishthispointthroughtheviews ofJackandJo?
Ans.Thesamesituationcanbeviewed throughtwodifferentperspectives.
Thisisevidentthroughthestoryof
RogerSkunk.Inthestory,RogerSkunk hadaverybadsmellandwasridiculed andrejectedbyhispeergroup.Hewent tothewizardwhochangedhisbad
smellintothepleasantsmellofroses.
Consequently,heisappreciatedand
acceptedbyallthecreatures.Buthis motherwasannoyedandwenttothe wizard,hithim onRoger’sheadandgot Roger’soriginalsmellrestored.From
theviewpointofJo,thiswasnotthe appropriateendingasmommycannot besocrueltohumiliateherownchild.
Soshewantedmommytobepunished.
Butfrom Jack’sviewpoint,parentsare alwaysrightandkeepingone’s
originalityisverysignificant.Thus,the storyemphasisesthepointthatthe samesituationcanbeanalysed
throughtwodifferentangles.
6.WhydidJothinkRogerSkunkwas betteroffwiththenewsmell?
Ans.Jowasasmallgirl.Forherpeer
appreciationandacceptancewasthe mostimportantthing.Infact,she
identifiedRogerSkunkwithherself.She feltbadandcouldfeelthepainof
RogerSkunkwhenhewasrejectedby theotherwoodlandcreaturesduetohis badsmell.Sowhenthewizardgave
him thenewsmellduetowhichhe
smeltlikeroses,Jobecamehappy.Due tohisnewsmell,allthecreatures
becamehisfriendsandhewas
acceptedwholeheartedly.Heenjoyed playingwiththewoodlandcreatures throughouttheday.Acceptanceand appreciationofRogerSkunkbyother
creaturesofthewoodlandmadeJofeel thathewasbetteroffwiththenew
smell.
7.WhywasRogerSkunk’smommy
angrywithhim?Whatdidshefinallytell him?
Ans.RogerSkunk,ontheadviceofthe wiseowl,wenttothewizardtogetrid ofhishadsmell.Thewizardgavehim a newsmell,i.e.ofroses.Hewasvery
happy.Duetothisgoodsmell,allthe creaturesofthewoodlandbecamehis friendsandallowedhim toplaywith
them.Butwhenhereachedhomeinthe evening,hismotherwasangrytofind him smellingofroses.Shedidn’twant RogerSkunktolosehisoriginality.She scoldedhim andaskedhim to
immediatelyhavehisoriginalsmell
restore.Shefinallytookhim tothe wizardandhithim onhisheadasa punishmentandaskedhim torestore RogerSkunk’soriginalsmell.
8.Discussthesignificanceofthetitle
‘ShouldWizardHitMommy?’
Ans.Thetitleofthestoryisintheform ofaquestionandraisesmoraland
ethicalissues.Jacktoldastorytolittle Joinwhichmommyhitthewizardfor daringtochangethenaturalfeatureof herchild.ButJofoundittobecruelon thepartofmommy.Thestorydepictsa conflictofviewpointsbetweenthe
adultsandthechildren.Jobelievesina happyendingsoshewantedherfather totellanotherstoryinwhichthewizard
wouldhitMommy.Butherprotestisa challengetoparentalauthority.Jack wonderedwhetherhewouldbend
beforeJo’semotionalblackmailornot. Thestoryisleftatthiscrucialmoment andthewriterleavesittothereaderto interpretitinthelightofhisorherown experiencesandbeliefs.
9.InwhatwayisRogerSkunk’sstory similaranddifferentfrom otherRoger’s stories?
Ans.JackusedtosellstoriestoJoon Saturdayafternoonstoputhertosleep.
Hewasdoingitforthelasttwoyears andhadmadeastoryline.Everytime thereisaRogercreatureinthestory
whohadaproblem andhealwayswent
tothewiseowltotakehisadvice.The owlusedtoreferhim tothewizardwho withhismagicspellsolvedhis
problemsandchargedmoney.There werecreatureslikefish,squirrel,
Chipmunk,etc.withminorproblems andthewizardusedtosolvethese
problemsquickly.Moreover,theywere notrejectedorteasedbytheirpeer
groups.ButRogerSkunk’sproblem was verycharacteristicofhistribeandwas relatedtoamoralissue:theoriginality ofone’sownnaturalcharacteristics.
10.WhatpartofthestorydidJack himselfenjoythemost?Why?
Ans.Jackenjoyedmostpartofthe
storyinwhichthewizardispresent.He
wasproudofhisabilitytoenactthe partofthewizardthroughhisvoice
modulationandfacialexpressions.He diditbyscrunchinguphisfaceand
whiningthroughhiseyes,whichfeltfor theinternalrheumy.Helikedtoenact likeanoldman.Thiskindof
improvisationinthestorytelling capturedJosomuchinthestory.
Moreover,Jackhimselffeltsatisfied andhappytotellthestoryusingallhis witsandtalent.
11.Jackisnotusedtohavinghis
authorityquestioned?Howdoweknow aboutit?Howdoesheshowthistohis daughter?
Ans.Jackwasnotusedtohisauthority
beingquestioned.Tillthistime,Johad neverbeenquestionedforanythingin thestory.Butnowaphasewas
developing.Johadstartedasking
questionsandreasons.Moreover,Jo’s constantquestioningduringthestory andherprotesttoaccepttheendingof thestoryappearedtohim tobeathreat tohisauthority.Manytimesduringthe courseofstorytellingJackexertshis authoritybyaskingher“Who’stelling thestory?”Attheendwhenheleftthe room inspiteofJo’sprotesttotheend anddemandforanewstory,hecame backagaintosensetherestlessnessof Jo.Hereheultimatelyusedtheadult
authorityandaskedherifshewanted
him tospankher.
12.HowdoesJackinterweavehisown childhoodinthestoryofStinkySkunk?
Ans.JacktoldhisdaughterJoastory inwhichtheprotagonistRogerSkunkis humiliatedand
bythepeergroupbecauseofhisbad smell.Whilenarratingthestory,Jack feltthistobepartofhisownchildhood experience.Herememberedthe
humiliationsandridiculesthathehad facedinhischildhood.HetoldJothat alltheothercreaturesrefusedtoplay withorbefriendRogerandranaway becauseofhisbadsmell.Hewasleft
alonetocry.Thismusthavebeenhis ownchildhoodexperiencewhenhe
mighthavebeenrejectedandmocked bypeersandwouldhavecriedaloneas everyonewouldhavelefthim.
