37 pages • 1 hour read
John PetersonThe Littles
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1967A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Summary
Background
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Character Analysis
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Tools
BetaSymbols & Motifs
Weapons
For the unconventionally small Little family, the need for weapons symbolizes fear and uncertainty. They realize they need weapons to protect themselves when the Newcombs’ poor housekeeping attracts mice, which poses a threat to the Little family since they are small enough that mice will prey on them. Mr. Little laments that it has become necessary for “this generation of Littles […] to open this weapons chest” (27), signifying that their life has become unpredictable and dangerous. Uncle Pete explains that the last time they needed weapons was a long time ago when he and his father and brothers fought a mice infestation when he was young; Uncle Pete got his limp at that time, and one of his brothers had died. His story underlines that the advent of mice and the necessity for weapons symbolize a shift into scary and uncertain times for the Littles.
As the Littles face varying dangers, weapons continue to represent fear and uncertainty. Even after Tom successfully carries out his plan of scaring the Newcombs into taking action against the mice, the Littles agree that they must remain armed until the mouse problem is gone for good, showing that they still face uncertainty. This proves to be a life-saving decision when Lucy uses her weapon to save Mr. Little from the cat. Their decision to bear arms shows their understanding of the presence of danger. Uncle Pete, in particular, holds his weapons very close since his previous trauma has made him wary of danger. When the rest of the Littles agree to try to tame the cat, Uncle Pete remains obstinate in his belief that the cat is a dangerous, untamable beast. When the family sets off to enact their plan, Uncle Pete declares: “Count me out, […] I’ll stay here and sharpen my sword” (74). His attachment to his sword symbolizes the fear he clings to regarding the cat in the house, believing it to be dangerous. Weapons remain a symbol of fear and uncertainty for all members of the Little family.
Mice
The presence of mice in the Biggs’ home develops the theme of Focusing on Cleanliness and Order. Mice are a motif for this theme, and their presence emphasizes the consequences of poor housekeeping. The first mention of mice comes in Chapter 4 when the Little family discusses the Newcombs’ poor housekeeping. Granny Little warns to “Watch out for mice”; she believes “[t]here will be mice” as a result of the trash and food crumbs that the Newcombs don’t clean up (22). Granny’s prediction proves true in the following chapter. The Littles observe that as a consequence of “[f]ood […] left around uncovered” and “[g]arbage spill[ing] from the can” (26), the mice arrive. Mr. Little declares: “They’ve come! The mice are here!” (27). The mice arriving as the Newcombs’ mess worsens develops the idea that an unhygienic environment leads to health and safety hazards.
The mice continue to be an issue for the Littles, with several close encounters between the family members and the mice emphasizing the mice’s dangers. Finally, Tom dresses as a mouse to alert the Newcombs of the infestation, forcing them to clean up after themselves when confronted with the consequences of their environmental neglect. Through the presence of mice and the danger they pose to the Littles, the novel emphasizes the idea that a neglected, unhygienic environment carries dangerous consequences, making mice a motif for the theme of Focusing on Cleanliness and Order.
The Cat
The cat, who is largely not present in the novel until the final chapters, is a motif for the theme of The Importance of Adaptability and Resourcefulness. The idea of a cat is first mentioned in Chapter 2, with the Littles worrying that the house’s new residents might bring a pet cat that would hunt them. The idea of a cat is an abstract menace for most of the novel, with Uncle Pete remarking that he’d “rather have trouble with a cat than eat [the Newcombs’ bad] cooking” (21). The novel establishes cats as a substantial danger for the Little family, so when a cat actually appears in Chapter the novel, the threat it poses to the Little family is well-defined.
With the appearance of the cat, the Littles find themselves in a predicament: If they scare off the cat, the mice will return. So, they must find a way to eliminate the new threat without returning to their old struggles with the mice. Tom showcases his cleverness and adaptability when he suggests they try to tame the cat, which no Little has ever attempted before. Tom asserts this is likely because “[t]hey were always afraid of cats” (69). The Littles agree to try Tom’s plan, and they use Mrs. Bigg’s yarn ball as a peace offering. Their plan works, resulting in a new ally for the Little family. The Littles’ use of the yarn ball shows their resourcefulness, and their change of perspective about cats is a result of their adaptability. Through their success with the taming of the cat, the novel develops the theme of The Importance of Adaptability and Resourcefulness, making the once-dangerous cat a motif for this theme.
