Redwall

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

How might the attitudes, lifestyles, and experiences of those in the medieval period compare to our experiences today? What was the role of the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages?

Teaching Suggestion: The events of the novel take place in the English countryside during a medieval-like period. The characters in the novel are anthropomorphic animals who either live in Redwall Abbey or in the Mossflower district outside of the abbey. Students may find it beneficial to explore the lifestyle of those during the medieval period as well as the role of the Catholic Church in everyday life at that time to better understand the setting and given circumstances of the novel. The class might approach this topic by first brainstorming a list of subtopics about medieval times (e.g., daily life, social hierarchy, conflict and danger, tools and weaponry, historical facts, structures and living conditions); after brainstorming, small groups might discuss and share known or researched information. These and similar resources can be helpful in exploring the medieval period.

• This article describes the Middle Ages including the attitudes of the time, the role of the church, and art.
• This article describes the purpose and function of abbeys during the Middle Ages.
• This BBC History page explores Britain-focused Middle Ages topics.
• This brief summary on “The Church’s Role in Medieval Life in England” includes bullets, graphics, and linked vocabulary.

Short Activity

Explore the differences between heroism and villainy. What characteristics are necessary to make an individual a hero? What are the typical characteristics of a villain? In storytelling, what techniques does an author use to show how heroes and villains are foils?

Teaching Suggestion: Matthias, a mouse abandoned as a young child at Redwall Abbey, learns to become a warrior when Cluny, the villain of the novel, attacks Redwall Abbey to make it into his home. While Matthias values honesty and chivalry, Cluny controls his army through threats and seeks personal gain. Students may find it beneficial to analyze the differences between heroism and villainy by listing 5-6 other works with notable heroes and villains. Then, they might  create a T-chart with the categories Villainy and Heroism to note attributes that contribute to these archetypes. Students can revisit the chart as they progress through the novel and add or remove character attributes to reflect the depictions of villainy and heroism in Redwall.

• For a brief introduction to Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth, UC Berkeley sums up the stages of the hero’s journey.
• This article from The Guardian discusses the appeal of a classic villain. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing due to length and complexity)

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge may wish to explore through research the role of chivalry in a knight’s code. These students might create an infographic or other visual display to depict this important heroic quality popularized during the medieval period. Later, students can reference the infographic to draw comparisons between the actions of Matthias and the depictions of medieval knights.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Consider a time when you experienced or observed a team or community that was able to accomplish difficult tasks. What qualities create great teamwork and cooperation? How might cooperation be inhibited by competition?

Teaching Suggestion: The army of the abbey operates in sharp contrast to Cluny’s army, as those in the abbey work together to defeat a common enemy. Students may enjoy discussing the value of good leadership, cooperation, and the potential pitfalls of competition once they have a chance to address the prompt in writing.