Kristina Arkhipova

English 414
Richard Burke
October 27, 2016

Puss in Boots
Questions
1) After reading the moral at the end of the story how can you relate the events of the
story in your own life?
2) Discuss what the results would have been if Puss in Boots didnt turn into a small
animal?
3) What would have happened if the cat had never received the boots to wear? Would this
have affected the events in the story?
4) How do you think the youngest sons attitude changed about his inheritance from the
beginning to the end of the story?
5) What might have been two other possible outcomes in this story? Explain your thinking.
6) In what ways could the third son (Marquis of Carabas) reward Puss in Boots for his
ingenuity and hard work?
7) Do you think the third son was selfish in accepting wealth that he did not work for?
Explain your thinking.
8) Discuss how Puss in Boots boots and Cinderellas shoes demonstrates symbolism in the
achievement of a goal.
9) Explain how Puss in Boots hunting for his master is similar to how a house cat will hunt
to please his owner.
Patterns
In the folk tale, Puss in Boots, two patterns I observed were self-preservation and ingenuity.
Both of these were significant to the main character, Puss in Boots. The younger son, was a
secondary character and played a key role in creating these patterns within the story. After the
poor miller died, the youngest son inherited his fathers cat. He felt that this inheritance was
unworthy and believed the only positives he could receive from the cat would be a meal and a
muff. Overhearing this, the cat was determined to live, so he set a plan into motion for his

survival. He would have to be creative in his thinking and design in the plot for his survival. The
cat requested two items from his master: a bag and a pair of boots. Immediately he put his
clever plan into action as he traveled to a rabbits warren and trapped his prey. Puss in Boots
eagerly delivered his offering to the king, telling him that his master Marquis of Carabas sent it.
The king rewards the cat with a tip and the encouragement to continue hunting. From the
readers perspective, I concluded that the monetary rewards were being delivered to the third
son, keeping him happy and Puss in Boots safe for the time. Determined to win the kings
admiration for his master and driven by the natural instinct to survive, the cat dutifully
continues to hunt and deliver small game. Knowing that the king would soon tire with such
meager favors, Puss in Boots had to be innovative and grow his plan into something worthy of a
king. Eventually, Puss in Boots expanded his plan in order for his master to marry the princess.
These are examples of the cats cleverness. A huge component of his plan was to trick the ogre,
eat him, and claim his castle for his master. This was a risky plan, if not carried out perfectly. In
his two-tiered scheme, he would have to arrange a by chance meeting of the king and his
master. This part of the plan was carried out without a problem. Phase two of the plan dealt
with ridding the ogre from his castle. At one point, the cats life was in great danger; the ogre
had turned into a lion, forcing Puss in Boots to escape to the roof. These story details
demonstrate the cats ingenuity and the degree of danger he was willing to subject himself to in
order to survive. At the end of the story the cat was successful and his livelihood secure. His
master did marry the princess and Puss in Boots became a Lord, never to hunt out of necessity
again.

The significance of these patterns would be the basic instinct to survive and the determination
to use the skills available in life threatening situations. These patterns are not only evident in
this folk tale, but also in nature. Both humans and animals possess the desire and the will to
survive and the capacity to use innate skill sets to overcome threatening circumstances.
Elements
The connection I have found in the story is one of fear versus courage. The millers youngest
son, disheartened by his fathers inheritance, shows fear in the fact that me may not be able to
survive with his meager gift. He even goes to the extreme of saying that after eating the cat, he
would surely die of hunger. Throughout the fable, there is no reference to the master making
any effort to improve his situation. This character represents the emotions that feed fear:
weakness and desperation. In contrast, Puss in Boots demonstrated great courage throughout
the story. He fully understood the urgency of his situation, and even though he should have
been frightened, he chose to perform great acts of courage.
The conclusion that can be drawn from these two opposing elements is when faced with
circumstances that are unfavorable, there are two options: to react with fear or to act with
courage. The choice you choose to make often reveals how you handle difficult situations. The
folk tale represents that facing life with courage rather than fear can result in a positive
outcome.