Activity Overview
In this activity, students can display the characters of the story, paying close attention to the physical characteristics and the character traits of major and minor characters. Students should also provide detailed information regarding the character’s actions, and how they influence the plot. Students could identify how specific events caused the character to change, and the significance of the characters to the plot.
The Phantom Tollbooth Characters included in this character map:
- Milo
The young protagonist - Tock
A "watchdog" - Humbug
A boastful individual who looks a bit like a beetle - Rhyme & Reason
Two sisters imprisoned in the Castle in the Air - Faintly Macabre
A "which" - King Azaz
Ruler of Dictionopolis - Mathemagician
Brother of Azaz, and ruler of Digitopolis - Alec Bings
A boy who sees through things and grows down rather than up
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a character map for the major characters.
- Identify the major characters inThe Phantom Tollbooth and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a Storyboard That character to represent each of the literary characters.
- Select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.
- Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
- Fill in the text boxes for Physical Traits, Character's Actions, Change After Dictionopolis, and Important Quote.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character Picture & Scene | The characters and scenes are both appropriate for the book's characters. | Many of the characters and scenes match the book's characters. | More than half of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book. |
| Accuracy of Notes | Most of the information of the notes is correct. | Many of the notes have correct information, but some are incorrect or missing. | Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant. |
| Effort | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. | Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable. | Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized. |
How To Analyze the Interaction of the Characters with the Settings in “The Phantom Tollbooth”
Identify the Characters
Ask the students to closely read the story and identify the main or primary characters present in the narrative who play a significant role in the development of the themes and conveying the moral lesson. Students can also highlight these characters can their presence while reading the story and see how they are interrelated with the story in a broader context.
Discuss the Settings
Discuss the various settings present in the narrative with the students. Students can first start with Milo’s room where he finds the mysterious tollbooth and then move on to Dictionopolis and other similar fantasy places that Milo visits as a part of his journey. Discuss how each setting is unique to the story and plays an important role in the development of the narrative as well as the characters.
Examine Behaviors
Help the students examine how the behavior of the characters changes as they move through different settings. Are they more relaxed or do they feel more tense and depressed in a specific setting? Guide the students to read between the lines and notice these small changes which will help them understand the story and the characters on a deeper level.
Analyze Character Development
Discuss how characters are developed as a result of their surroundings. Examine how Milo's development and the relationships between characters are impacted by the difficulties and settings in various countries. Engage students in a comparative analysis of the different environments that Milo comes across in the Lands Beyond and analyze his development throughout these settings.
Reflect and Conclude
Encourage students to share their thoughts on the relationship between locations and characters by facilitating class discussions. As they investigate how environments affect the overall story experience, encourage students to pay attention to various points of view to conclude their analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Characters in “The Phantom Tollbooth”
Who is the key character in the narrative?
Milo, a young boy who finds a magical tollbooth and sets out on a fantasy voyage across the Lands Beyond, is the primary character of the story.
What kind of personality does Milo have at the start of the story and how does it develop as the story progresses?
Milo is shown as being uninterested, apathetic, and bored early on. His experiences and encounters as he travels through the Lands Beyond foster curiosity, personal development, and a renewed love of education.
Who are some other important characters in the story?
Tock, the real watchdog, and the Humbug, a creature resembling a beetle, are two of Milo's friends. Tock stands for the value of punctuality and focus, whereas the Humbug complicates and provides humor to group dynamics.
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