Chapter 5: Should Wizard Hit Mommy? by John Updike
1. What is the central theme of “Should Wizard Hit Mommy?”
Answer:
The story explores the innocence of childhood, the clash between fantasy and reality, and the complexities of parenting, especially in shaping a child’s understanding of life’s truths.
2. Who are Jack and Jo?
Answer:
Jack is a father who tells bedtime stories to his daughter Jo. Jo is a curious four-year-old who questions her father’s story endings and moral lessons.
3. Why does Jo want the wizard to hit Mommy?
Answer:
Jo believes the mother in the story is cruel for reversing the magic that made Roger happy. She emotionally sides with the child character, showing her innocence and empathy.
4. What does the story within the story represent?
Answer:
It reflects real-life issues. Roger’s desire to change himself symbolizes the human need for acceptance, while his mother’s opposition represents parental authority and traditional values.
5. How does Jack react to Jo’s questions?
Answer:
Jack feels uncomfortable and defensive. He wants Jo to accept his version, showing his struggle between maintaining control and dealing with her growing independence.
6. Why is Jack reluctant to change the story’s ending?
Answer:
He believes the mother character was right, symbolizing real-world responsibility. He wants Jo to understand that parents know best, even if it seems unfair.
7. What moral conflict arises in the story?
Answer:
The conflict is between personal happiness and obedience. Jack’s story teaches conformity, while Jo wants justice for the character, creating tension between fantasy and adult morality.
8. How does Jo represent a child’s worldview?
Answer:
She sees things in black and white—good or bad. Her sympathy lies with the innocent, showing her clear sense of fairness and strong emotional reasoning.
9. What does Jack’s story reveal about his own life?
Answer:
Jack’s portrayal of the mother shows his internal struggles with adulthood, control, and possibly even his relationship with his wife and parenting responsibilities.
10. How does the story highlight gender roles?
Answer:
Jack tries to dominate the storytelling, reflecting male authority. Jo challenges him, symbolizing a shift where young minds begin questioning traditional power structures.
11. Why is Jo dissatisfied with the story?
Answer:
She wants a happy, just ending. The idea that the wizard listened to the mother frustrates her because she believes Roger deserved to stay happy.
12. What does the ending suggest about parenting?
Answer:
It shows that parenting involves constant negotiation between guiding children and allowing them to think independently, which can be both challenging and rewarding.
13. How does the story explore the role of imagination in childhood?
Answer:
It shows how stories shape children’s thoughts. Jo immerses herself in the tale, engaging emotionally and morally—showing the power of imagination in learning.
14. What is the symbolic role of the wizard in the story?
Answer:
The wizard symbolizes magical solutions or wish fulfillment. He contrasts with the mother, who stands for real-life limitations and authority.
15. How does Jo’s reaction challenge traditional authority?
Answer:
She questions her father’s moral message, reflecting how children may not blindly accept adult reasoning and instead develop their own ethical beliefs.
16. Why does Jack feel trapped in his role as a storyteller?
Answer:
He feels burdened by Jo’s growing curiosity and his own expectations to teach lessons through stories. He struggles with control and evolving parent-child dynamics.
17. What is the story’s view on conformity vs. individuality?
Answer:
Jack promotes conformity by siding with the mother. Jo, however, defends individuality, believing Roger had the right to be happy as he was.
18. How is the parent-child relationship portrayed?
Answer:
It’s shown as loving but complicated. Jack wants to protect and guide Jo, but Jo’s independent thinking challenges his authority, revealing generational tension.
19. How does John Updike use storytelling as a metaphor?
Answer:
He uses the bedtime story to reflect larger themes—morality, authority, and growth. The storytelling session becomes a space for deeper emotional and philosophical discussion.
20. What is the message of “Should Wizard Hit Mommy?”
Answer:
The story emphasizes the importance of allowing children to question, imagine, and form their own morals, even as parents try to guide them toward social norms.