In this essay I will be analyzing the authors use of characterization, conflict, and literary

devices in the fairy tale, Mr. Fox, to show the theme. The theme in this story that I will be
focusing on is the duality of boldness as a flaw and a strength. I believe that this theme is shown
many times throughout this story and is most likely the central theme of this fairy tale. Boldness
is portrayed in two verry distinct ways throughout this story and understanding those two ways, I
feel, is the best way to understand this story. By the end of this essay I should have provide
enough evidence to show how the author shows this theme throughout the story.
First, I will talk about how the author uses characterization to show the theme in this fairy
tale. The first example of boldness as a trait is shown in Mr. Fox when he is first introduced to
the reader by telling us that “No one knew who Mr. Fox was; but he was certainly brave, and
surely rich, and of all her lovers, Lady Mary cared for him alone”. This is shown again in Lady
Mary when she enters the room in the gallery and the reader is told “But Lady Mary was a brave
one”. Boldness is then shown two times in both Lady Mary and Mr. Fox in the end of the story
with their final dialogue. For Mr. Fox his boldness in trying to dismiss Mary’s words as simply a
dream proves to be his downfall and for Mary her own boldness in continuing to press the
subject is what saves her from death.
Next, I will tell you about how the conflict in this story portrays the story's theme. The
conflict in this story truly begins all because of Lady Mary’s boldness in opening a door despite
the warning not to. This is shown as the key point in the conflict as Lady Mary’s lack of caution
forces her into a dangerous situation which could have ended in her death. This is used to show
boldness as a flaw and a near fatal one at that, but it is not the only instance of boldness being
key to the conflict in this story. The next instance we see boldness is in the confrontation
between Lady Mary and Mr. Fox at breakfast before they were to be wed. Boldness is shown
here by Mr. Fox with his flat dismissal of Mary’s “dream” as just that which shows boldness as
Mr. Fox’s fatal flaw. However, within the same paragraph Mary’s boldness is shown when from
her dress she produces the severed hand of the woman Mr. Fox killed and points it at him which
shows boldness as the thing that has just saved Mary’s life.
Finally, I will show you how the author used literary devices to show the theme of this
story. The first literary device I want to mention is the authors use of repetition of certain phrases
within the story. The first instance of this is the repeated line of “Be bold, Be Bold” which
changes slightly which seems to show a character being lured into a situation where their
boldness will cause them problems. This is used to show how boldness can be a negative trait as
it is used when Mary discovers the skeletons and almost dies and is used again when Mr. Fox
dismisses Mary’s “dream” which causes his own death. The second literary device I want to
mention is the use of Symbols such as the words written upon the entry ways to Mr. Fox’s home.
These words seem to be meaningless when they are first seen however, they prove to be a
warning to visitors of the house.
In conclusion the author shows the theme in many ways throughout this story some of
which I have listed. This is shown by the authors characterization of the story's characters as bold
and that very trait being the thing that saved one and doomed the other. It is also shown within
the conflict which itself is constantly pushed by the boldness of Mr. Fox and Lady Mary. Then it
is shown through two literary devices repetition and symbols which are used to emphasize the
importance of boldness within the story. All of these combined give us a clear image of the
theme that is being portrayed in this story.