There's a whole boatload of things to be afraid of in The Borrowers. Giant eyeballs, rat poison, cats, mean people, and, of course, the unknown. But the biggest thing to fear in this novel seems to be fear itself, because fear is what keeps our characters trapped in their own small worlds. The bravest characters are the ones who are able to think outside the box, and dare to dream of something different.
Questions About Fear
- How does Pod's fear after being seen make things worse for the family? Could it be that the fear of being seen is worse than actually being seen?
- Almost all of the characters in the novel are afraid of something, but which characters handle their fear in similar ways? What does that say about them?
- When do fears appear alongside prejudice in The Borrowers?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Having a healthy sense of fear is a good thing in The Borrowers because it prevents characters from making reckless choices and taking dangerous risks.
Fear is a bad news in The Borrowers because it clouds characters' minds and limits their freedom.