Poppy

“Of all the creatures the owl hunted, he enjoyed mice the most. They were the best eating, to be sure, but better still, they were the most fearful, and Mr. Ocax found deep satisfaction in having others afraid of him.”

The opening scene of the novel is told from Mr. Ocax’s point of view. It establishes the fear motif, instantly characterizing Mr. Ocax as a cruel ruler whose main goal is to maintain power over others by hurting them. This quote establishes The Nature of Tyranny and Heroism as a major theme via establishing Mr. Ocax as the antagonist, simultaneously foreshadowing the framing conflict between the mice and Mr. Ocax.

“Perhaps, then, what occurred—horrible as it had been—had served Ragweed right. Then and there Poppy vowed she would never leave home again.”

This moment depicts Poppy at the very beginning of her character arc, establishing the attitudes that will undergo transformation during her quest. After the inciting moment of Ragweed’s death, Poppy retreats into the doctrine of conformity in the mouse society that she has been fed all her life. This attitude in Poppy will change as she begins to challenge assumptions about Mr. Ocax’s power.

“But as Mr. Ocax sailed deep into Dimwood toward his secret lair, he vowed to avenge himself. If mice began to get notions that they could escape him, there would be no end of trouble.”

This quote foreshadows the driving conflict in the novel and suggests something important about The Nature of Tyranny and Heroism. Mr. Ocax maintains power by controlling the mice through fear, which suggests that rebelling against this fear will topple his power.