Family life can be awfully complicated. That's surely the case for Despereaux, Princess Pea, and Mig in The Tale of Despereaux. Despereaux doesn't come from the most loving family; after all, his father's the one who calls the Mouse Council that sentences his own son to death. Mig's dad isn't going to win any Father of the Year awards either—he sells his only daughter into slavery in exchange for a red tablecloth, a hen, and some smokes. And even though Princess Pea's family adores her, she's lost her mother, and her father becomes bitter and withdrawn.
The author shows that anyone can have family problems; it doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, a princess or a servant. Pea's wealth and royal status can't shield her from losing her mother. The difference is that Pea has a loving father to help her through her loss; Mig has nobody. That accounts for a lot of the differences between them.
Questions About Family
- Why does Mig's father sell his daughter for a red tablecloth, a hen, and some cigarettes?
- Do you think Despereaux and his family will have a good relationship after the book ends? Why or why not?
- Does Mig's father realize the error of his ways by the end of the story? How does he make things up to his daughter?
Chew on This
Despereaux finds out that your "adopted" family—friends—can be as valuable as your biological family.
Mig's wish to be a princess was really a wish to have a family again.