Estimated read time: 8 min read
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs: Character Analysis
"The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs" by Jon Scieszka is a classic children's book that offers a unique perspective on the well-known tale of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. While it may seem like a simple story, the book introduces several interesting characters that deserve a closer look. In this character analysis, we will explore the key characters, their roles, traits, backgrounds, arcs, and relationships within the story.
List of Characters
- Alexander T. Wolf (A. Wolf)
- First Little Pig
- Second Little Pig
- Third Little Pig
- News Reporter Pig
- Jury of Pigs
- Judge Juris Prudence
Role Identification
Alexander T. Wolf (A. Wolf)
A. Wolf is the protagonist and narrator of the story. He is known as the big bad wolf in the traditional fairy tale, but he presents his side of the story in this book.
First Little Pig
The First Little Pig is one of the three little pigs who builds a house of straw.
Second Little Pig
The Second Little Pig is another one of the three little pigs who builds a house of sticks.
Third Little Pig
The Third Little Pig is the smartest and most resourceful of the three little pigs. He builds a strong house of bricks.
News Reporter Pig
The News Reporter Pig is a minor character who interviews A. Wolf to hear his side of the story.
Jury of Pigs
The Jury of Pigs is a group of pigs who listen to A. Wolf's testimony during his trial.
Judge Juris Prudence
Judge Juris Prudence presides over the trial and makes the final decision regarding A. Wolf's guilt or innocence.
Character Descriptions
Alexander T. Wolf (A. Wolf)
A. Wolf is a gray wolf who is often portrayed as the villain in traditional fairy tales. He has a scruffy appearance and a cunning demeanor. In this story, he is seen wearing a striped prison outfit, suggesting his incarceration.
First Little Pig
The First Little Pig is the smallest and youngest of the three pigs. He is depicted as naive and easily convinced to build his house of straw. He has a playful and carefree demeanor.
Second Little Pig
The Second Little Pig is slightly bigger than the first pig but still smaller than the third pig. He is also easily persuaded to build his house of sticks. He is portrayed as somewhat lazy and less cautious than the third pig.
Third Little Pig
The Third Little Pig is the largest and wisest of the three pigs. He is depicted as hardworking, responsible, and resourceful. He takes the time to build a sturdy house of bricks, demonstrating his intelligence and foresight.
News Reporter Pig
The News Reporter Pig is a professional-looking pig dressed in a suit. He carries a microphone and notepad, indicating his role as a journalist. He is curious and impartial as he interviews A. Wolf to gather facts for his news report.
Jury of Pigs
The Jury of Pigs consists of a group of twelve pigs who are responsible for determining A. Wolf's guilt or innocence. They are seen wearing jury badges, suggesting their official role in the trial.
Judge Juris Prudence
Judge Juris Prudence is a wise and authoritative figure who presides over the trial. He wears a judge's robe and carries a gavel, symbolizing his role as the final decision-maker in the courtroom.
Character Traits
Alexander T. Wolf (A. Wolf)
- Cunning
- Persuasive
- Resourceful
- Clever
- Articulate
First Little Pig
- Naive
- Playful
- Carefree
- Easily influenced
- Trusting
Second Little Pig
- Lazy
- Less cautious
- Gullible
- Easily persuaded
- Lacks foresight
Third Little Pig
- Hardworking
- Responsible
- Intelligent
- Resourceful
- Cautious
News Reporter Pig
- Curious
- Impartial
- Inquisitive
- Professional
- Objective
Jury of Pigs
- Deliberative
- Judicious
- Fair-minded
- Objective
- Unbiased
Judge Juris Prudence
- Wise
- Authoritative
- Impartial
- Decisive
- Knowledgeable
Character Background
Alexander T. Wolf (A. Wolf)
A. Wolf is a well-known character from traditional fairy tales. He has a reputation for being the big bad wolf who huffs and puffs to blow down houses made by the three little pigs. In this book, he claims that he was simply looking for a cup of sugar to make a cake for his granny when he accidentally sneezed and blew down the houses.
First Little Pig, Second Little Pig, and Third Little Pig
The three little pigs are siblings who leave their mother's house to build their own homes. The first pig builds his house of straw, the second pig builds his house of sticks, and the third pig builds his house of bricks.
News Reporter Pig
The News Reporter Pig is a professional journalist who aims to present a balanced and accurate report of the events surrounding A. Wolf's side of the story. He interviews A. Wolf to gather information and provide a fair account to the public.
Jury of Pigs
The Jury of Pigs is a group of twelve pigs chosen to hear A. Wolf's testimony and make a fair and impartial judgment regarding his guilt or innocence. They carefully consider the evidence presented during the trial.
Judge Juris Prudence
Judge Juris Prudence is an experienced judge who presides over A. Wolf's trial. He is responsible for ensuring a fair trial and making the final decision based on the evidence presented.
Character Arcs
Alexander T. Wolf (A. Wolf)
A. Wolf experiences a character arc as he presents his side of the story. Initially seen as a villain, he reveals a different perspective and challenges the traditional narrative. He undergoes a transformation from being perceived as a menacing antagonist to a misunderstood character who claims innocence.
First Little Pig, Second Little Pig, and Third Little Pig
The three little pigs do not undergo significant character arcs in this story. They maintain their roles as victims of A. Wolf's alleged attacks and their steadfast belief that A. Wolf is the villain.
Relationships
Alexander T. Wolf (A. Wolf) and the Three Little Pigs
The relationship between A. Wolf and the three little pigs is adversarial. The pigs view A. Wolf as a threat and blame him for destroying their houses. A. Wolf, on the other hand, claims innocence and presents his version of events, challenging the pigs' perception of him.
Alexander T. Wolf (A. Wolf) and News Reporter Pig
The relationship between A. Wolf and the News Reporter Pig is professional. The News Reporter Pig aims to gather information from A. Wolf to present an unbiased news report. A. Wolf sees the reporter as an opportunity to share his side of the story and potentially change public perception.
Alexander T. Wolf (A. Wolf) and Jury of Pigs
The relationship between A. Wolf and the Jury of Pigs is formal. The jury listens to A. Wolf's testimony and weighs the evidence presented during the trial to determine his guilt or innocence. A. Wolf aims to convince the jury of his innocence, while the jury must remain objective and impartial.
Alexander T. Wolf (A. Wolf) and Judge Juris Prudence
The relationship between A. Wolf and Judge Juris Prudence is authoritative. The judge presides over the trial and ultimately decides A. Wolf's fate. A. Wolf presents his case to the judge, hoping to convince him of his innocence.
In conclusion, "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs" introduces a fresh perspective on a well-known fairy tale. The characters, including A. Wolf, the three little pigs, the News Reporter Pig, the Jury of Pigs, and Judge Juris Prudence, each play distinct roles with unique traits and backgrounds. While A. Wolf undergoes a character arc, challenging the traditional narrative, the other characters maintain their roles as victims or impartial observers. The relationships between the characters are defined by conflict, professionalism, and authority, contributing to the overall dynamics of the story.
