'What-the-Dickens' by Gregory Maguire Quiz

Answer: Gage

After dropping in for an unexpected visit, Gage, a rather young school teacher, is left in charge of the three children. Less than mechanically-inclined, hapless with a screwdriver and uneasy with diaper changes, Gage uses his talent as a storyteller to keep the children entertained.

In the process, he allays his own worries and finds a bit of confidence in his ability to deal with children.

Answer: McCavity

A rather fat white cat, McCavity inspires an instant and passionate reaction in What-the-Dickens. Naivete, a need for connection and a lack of world-weary cynicism lead What-the-Dickens to search for McCavity in the hope that he will have someone to belong to. With no further motivation than the desire to become McCavity's pet, What-the-Dickens embarks on a dangerous search that leads him into a world full of surprises.

Answer: skibberee

'Skibbereen can't be seen' to quote Pepper. But, throughout What-the-Dickens' story he is seen by many, both human and animal. His willingness to listen, his lack of censure and his good-hearted motives impart a strong moral lesson both to the children of the story and the reader.

Answer: singing

After adopting What-the-Dickens, the mama grisset saves him first from McCavity, and later from an owl. Again, it's What-the-Dickens' lack of prejudice and earnest desire for connection that enables these two very different species to interact. And while What-the-Dickens recognizes the grisset's lack of singing ability, his reaction is simple and analytical, and forgiving, rather than harsh or demeaning.

Answer: Undertree Common

Led by Dr. Ill, Undertree Common is actually Northwest Sector, Division B., and is just one of many tooth fairy colonies. Yet instead of working together, the different colonies engage in behavior that parallels human behavior. Mistrust, skepticism, cold hostility and actual warfare between neighbors is accepted as normal by the other skibereen, yet baffles What-the-Dickens.

Answer: Maharajah's

With a sense of duty and responsibility that is noticeably absent from many of the elder skibereen, What-the-Dickens is determined to bring Pepper, who he believes is dead, the name and glory he feels she deserves.

Answer: she hid behind the couch

Because of Zeke's attempt to find food at a neighbor's house, and his subsequent capture for 'breaking and entering' by the deputies, Dinah is forced to use her 'good mind' and figure out how to keep them all together and out of the shelter. While only a small part of the overall story, the scene imparts a subtle lesson on the strengths of teamwork, imagination and determination - all of which are also present in What-the Dickens' own story.

Answer: Muzzlemutt

What-the Dickens is appalled by the mouse's captivity, and dismayed that when given the opportunity to flee his cage, Muzzlemutt is too used to captivity to seize his freedom. After first criticizing Dr. Ill over the mouse's confinement, he learns the story of Dr. Ill's 'war wounds' which cost him the use of his legs, and has a clearer understanding of the leader's need for the mouse.

Answer: No

The storm over, the electricity back on, if only briefly, the story ends without the parents' return, but with a growing assurance that they would return, safe and well. But, there is always that 'what if?' where life doesn't always tie itself up with a nice neat bow. The hope is there, but there is also a niggling uncertainty, which is deftly woven into the end of the novel.

Answer: 'Lost'

He also wrote 'Wicked', "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister' and 'Mirror Mirror' among others. Maguire's stories are more than simple updates or retellings of old fairy tales. They subtly urge the reader to remember that there is always more than one side to any story, more to be seen than just that which is on the surface, that myth does not equal truth and that politics, religious differences, jealousy and ignorance can influence even the simplest of motives.