Flora And Ulysses

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“The Power of Words”

After considering how words come in different forms and influence our lives, students will examine what words mean to them.

In this creative assignment, you will create either a poem or a visual piece (such as a painting or drawing) that depicts a word that is meaningful to you. For example, if you choose the word “soccer,” you could depict the sport in action or how it makes you feel to play the game.

• Think about an object, person, concept, or pastime that is meaningful to you.
• You may discuss your ideas with a peer, but this is not mandatory.
• After exploring and reflecting upon a variety of ways to show the meaningfulness of your subject, decide on your medium of communication (poetry or visual piece).
• Brainstorm and list characteristics about your chosen subject along with words and emotions that come to mind. Use your list to inspire your choices in creating your poem or visual piece.
• Once your poem or visual piece is complete, display it for others to see.

On looking at others’ creations, what do you notice about the way different subjects are presented? How are you inspired to think about subjects in new ways? Reflect on these points in a brief journal-style piece of writing.

Teaching Suggestion: Encourage students to think deeply about this project and consider which words have impacted their lives, and why. You can choose to have students share their finished work with the class or a peer if you wish.

Paired Text Extension:

A Poetry Project Featuring EE Cummings

This E. E. Cummings poem challenges the conventions of language structure.

• In groups of 3-5 classmates, read and discuss the poem. What do you notice about line structure, meaning, and themes?
• How does E. E. Cummings’s approach to poetry help illustrate The Power of Words? How is Ulysses’s poetry similar to this one?
• Using only the context provided, attempt to determine the meaning of the poem, much like Flora unpacks complex words in the novel.

Teaching Suggestion: Students may have never seen a poem that strays so far from conventional poetic structures. This poem can help open minds to the perceived limits of poetry, and how the medium can be approached from a purely creative angle. Relate the poem to the novel’s theme of The Power of Words and encourage students to think back on the way complex words were used and taught throughout the novel.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, and oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text in your response.

1. In Flora and Ulysses, Kate DiCamillo utilizes a variety of fonts and text faces, while also incorporating full-page illustrations and comic strips throughout the novel.

• How do the novel’s comic strips, illustrations, and text types affect one’s reading experience? (topic sentence)
• Detail at least three different ways in which DiCamillo’s artistic methods impact the way readers understand the novel’s characters, plot, or themes.
• In your conclusion, sum up why you think it might be beneficial to include comics, illustrations, or various fonts for younger readers.

2. Flora is certain that Ulysses is a superhero, despite him straying from the classic superhero in many ways.

• How does Ulysses both resemble and deviate from classic superheroes? (topic sentence)
• Compare and contrast Ulysses and classic superheroes, outlining at least three traits, attitudes, or actions.
• In your conclusion, explain briefly why superheroes inspire hope in people such as Flora.

3. One of the novel’s central themes is Becoming Illuminated, which has two unique meanings in the story. Consider these possible meanings, and how they are demonstrated in the novel.

• What does it mean to “become illuminated” and how does this theme relate to the novel’s characters? (topic sentence)
• Detail the novel’s two definitions of illumination, using at least three examples from the text to support your response.
• In the conclusion of your response, examine the role of imagery (both textual and pictorial) in illustrating the theme of Becoming Illuminated.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured, well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. In an essay of at least three paragraphs, examine the symbolism of superheroes and how it relates to the theme of Becoming Illuminated. Consider how Incandesto and Ulysses are both superheroes whom Flora admires for their courage, kindness, and sincerity. What do these superheroes symbolize in relation to Flora’s outlook on life? Furthermore, how do these superheroes act as “a brilliant streak of light in the darkness of the world” (31)?

2. Explain how The Power of Words becomes a prominent theme in Flora and Ulysses, and how this theme is used to characterize and resolve conflict. Consider how words are used symbolically, visually, and narratively. Why are words important to Flora, and how does she make this evident in her actions and thoughts? How does Ulysses express his appreciation for the power of words?

3. Examine the novel’s theme, The Possibility of the Impossible. Utilizing textual evidence, outline 2-3 characters’ approaches to hope and belief, and how these attitudes guide their actions. For instance, what does Dr. Meescham mean when she says, “There is much more beauty in the world if I believe such a thing is possible” (Chapter 39) in reference to Ulysses’s ability to write poetry?

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for holistic review or unit exams.

Multiple Choice

1. Identify the correct sequence of events:

A) Ulysses demonstrates the power of flight; Ulysses demonstrates the power of poetry; Ulysses demonstrates the power of super strength.

B) Ulysses demonstrates the power of super strength; Ulysses demonstrates the power of poetry; Ulysses demonstrates the power of flight.

C) Ulysses demonstrates the power of poetry; Ulysses demonstrates the power of flight; Ulysses demonstrates the power of super strength.

D) Ulysses demonstrates the power of super strength; Ulysses demonstrates the power of flight; Ulysses demonstrates the power of poetry.

2. What does Incandesto most closely symbolize?

A) Light

B) Power

C) Beauty

D) Honor

3. How are Flora and her mother alike?

A) They both love comic books.

B) They are both shy.

C) They are both stubborn.

D) They both love romance novels.

4. Why does seeing Ulysses fly make Flora’s father smile again?

A) It reminds him of his favorite movie.

B) It reminds him of his time with Flora.

C) It reminds him of his time with Flora’s mother.

D) It reminds him of Dr. Meescham.

5. What did William Spiver do to get banished?

A) He broke his stepfather’s watch.

B) He broke his stepfather’s glasses.

C) He pushed his stepfather’s motorcycle into a river.

D) He pushed his stepfather’s truck into a sinkhole.

6. Why does Flora relate to William?

A) They are both outcasts and have family issues.

B) They both love comic books and squirrels.

C) They are both scientists who search for answers.

D) They both love comic books and have family issues.

7. What does it mean to have a capacious heart?

A) It means one’s heart is cold.

B) It means one’s heart is kind.

C) It means one’s heart is large.

D) It means one’s heart is cruel.

8. Which scene represents Ulysses’s desire to help Flora?

A) Ulysses attacks the landlord’s cat.

B) Ulysses writes his first words.

C) Ulysses flies inside the Giant Do-Nut.

D) Ulysses flies around the kitchen of Flora’s house.

9. Which of the following is not an example of a cliffhanger?

A) “What Flora the Giant Ear heard was astonishing.” (Chapter 23)

B) “Fortunately, the doorbell rang.” (Chapter 14)

C) “Flora Belle Buckman was homesick for her own kind.” (Chapter 51)

D) “‘I know where we should go,’ said Flora.” (Chapter 61)

10. Which word best describes William?

A) Cryptic

B) Friendly

C) Spiteful

D) Capacious

11. Which character shift is the best example of the theme, Becoming Illuminated?

A) Ulysses recognizes the beauty of the world.

B) Flora confronts her mother.

C) William develops feelings for Flora.

D) Ulysses discovers he has the power of flight.

12. Why does Flora’s mother kidnap Ulysses?

A) She despises squirrels.

B) She wants Flora to be happy and safe.

C) She doesn’t believe Ulysses has powers.

D) She wants to take revenge on Flora.

13. By the end of the novel, what does Flora learn?

A) Flora learns to believe in Ulysses.

B) Flora learns to believe in herself.

C) Flora learns to believe in William.

D) Flora learns to believe in her family.

14. Which of the following best describes Flora’s emotional state after her mother tells her that life would be easier without her around?

A) Jealous

B) Angry

C) Hurt

D) Relieved

15. Why does Dr. Meescham keep her window open?

A) To keep her apartment cool

B) To invite the unexpected

C) To hear the sound of birds

D) To remind her of her husband

Long Answer

Compose responses of 2-3 sentences, incorporating textual details to support them.

1. Describe Flora’s relationship with each of her parents in the beginning and end of the novel. What causes these changes to occur?

2. How does Ulysses use his newfound powers to do good? What inspires him to behave this way?

3. Why does Flora love comic books about superheroes, and how does this passion transfer over into real life?