Discussion Director

Problem/Solution:

What was Paul’s problem on p. 14, par. 1 and 2? How did Paul solve his problem?

Paul’s problem was that he felt so lonely. He didn’t have anyone to be friends with because he was so much larger than everyone else. He solved his problem by stumbling over what he thought to be a mountain, but found that instead it was a Big Blue Ox. Paul named the ox Babe and took him home to care for him. They inevitably became the best of friends.

Cause/Effect:

Paul organized the men to make a griddle so big that “not a train or wagon was large enough to carry it.” (p. 16) What was the cause of this action?

The cause of this action was due to the fact that the lumberjacks loved pancakes. They loved them so much that they ate them too fast and never could make enough. Paul made a griddle so big that the lumberjacks would never go hungry again.

MCEOG:

All of the following, except which one, shows Paul doing something that “normal” people could never do.

a. sticking trees in his pockets

b. blowing birds out of the air when he sneezed

c. chopped down a tree in four strokes

d. was lonely without a friend

The answer is d. (was lonely without a friend).

Setting:

Where and when do you think this story takes place?

The story takes place a long time ago when America was just starting its westward expansion. We know this because during that time it was necessary to cut down a lot of trees in order to let people build homes. Obviously, it also takes place in America as well.

Compare/Contrast:

Compare and contrast Paul with the other lumberjacks.

Compare—Paul and all of the lumberjacks have the same goal because they all want to clear the land and cut down trees. They also feel the same about one another. Paul loves and cares for the lumberjacks and in turn they love and respect Paul.

Contrast—Obviously, there are some differences between Paul and the lumberjacks. Paul is much bigger and stronger and able to do more work faster. The lumberjacks are a huge group of people all the same size where as Paul only has Babe as his companion.

Point of View:

Who is telling the story of Paul Bunyan?

Since no one is referred to as “I” or “me” without using quotation marks, we know that the point of view is from the narrator and not really a specific character in the story.

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