Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows is written as a frame narrative. The main plot, Billy’s childhood with his dogs, is framed within the adult Billy’s reflection. How does the structure of the novel contribute to the development of its themes and messages?

• In what ways does the opening chapter set the stage for and emphasize the main narrative?
• Would the story be different if the outer frame did not exist? Why or why not?
• How does the frame help develop the theme of Billy’s Coming-Of-Age, in particular?

Teaching Suggestion: It may be helpful to explore frame narratives more generally before beginning the discussion. For example, you might consider mentioning well-known movies that are structured as frame narratives (like Forrest Gump and The Princess Bride).

Differentiation Suggestion: English Language Learners can benefit from a preliminary discussion of the arc of Billy’s coming-of-age story and a review of the novel’s outer and inner frames. For instance, you might pinpoint significant challenges that he overcomes, leading up to the death of the dogs and the family’s move, which ultimately force him to leave his childhood behind. The outer frame consists of the first and last chapters, which show the adult Billy’s kindness to a feisty old dog and, at the end, his reflection on the permanence of his childhood memories.