Compare Meggie Folchart’s behavior at the beginning of the novel and at the end of the novel. How does the stress and chaos of the plot bring about Meggie’s maturity, composure, and compassion?

Does Dustfinger’s grief and suffering redeem his betrayal of Meggie and Mo? Explain why or why not.

How does Funke use literacy and illiteracy as a characterization tool to denote characters’ morality?