Here Be Dragons

Thinking Metaphorically
Carta Marina - 1530s
 Hic Sunt Dracones

• Latin for “Here Be Dragons”

• A term used in old maps - weather in words or

illustrations.

• What could it mean?

 Teaching Point

• In fantasy stories, characters face different kinds of

dragons - some are literal, while others are
metaphorical dragons symbolizing conflicts faced
by those characters.

• Experienced readers look for these conflicts, and

consider whether some of them are becoming
themes in their novels.
Internal vs. External Conflict
INTERNAL EXTERNAL

-STRUGGLE THAT TAKES -STRUGGLE BETWEEN A

PLACE INSIDE A CHARACTER AND AN OUTSIDE
CHARACTER’S MIND. FORCE (ANOTHER CHARACTER,
NATURE, ETC.)
 Real vs. Metaphorical
Dragons
• More complicated than
this simple quest.

• There is a significant
character change.

• Ask yourselves: “What

other dragons does
Elizabeth face? What
other conflicts or
N
troubles does she have,
O besides the actual
A G
DR dragon?”
A L
RE
AHA!!!! Hic Sunt Dracones!
Character “Dragon" Lesson

author tries to teach

us:
Prince Ronald
• don’t judge a book
by its cover
“Dragon” Descriptors • if you are mean,
people won’t want
Elizabeth to be your friend
• cruel • make wise choices
• snobby when it comes to
• humiliates her relationships
• demeaning
• selfish
The Thief of Always
Character “Dragon" Lesson

author tries to teach

us:
Holiday House
• not all things that
seem to be
“Dragon” Descriptors perfect are
• stranger danger
Harvey • tricking them • don’t take things
• stealing year for granted
of their lives
• takes away/
erases
memories
• trapping them
Think Deeply About the Dragons
in ALL Characters’ Lives!

• What are YOUR dragons?

• What “dragons” do your

characters face, and what
lessons to these events
teach you?
 Classwork

• Meet with a partner and discuss “dragons” in your

novel.

• Read for ______ minutes

• Work on homework