The Littles

The final chapters of the novel show how characters change and grow. When Mr. Little sets out alone to find Uncle Pete and Tom, Lucy, who has previously declared that she will only hide in her room, realizes that she “should have gone with him” (58). She is worried about Mr. Little and decides to set out to find him. This is a significant moment for Lucy, who has been very afraid throughout the novel—she was previously not willing to engage with things that scare her, like mice and cats. Her decision to go after her father develops her character and shows that she is someone who can be brave when the situation calls for it. Lucy’s decision proves to be crucial since she finally locates her father just as he’s about to be mauled by a cat. She thinks quickly and stabs the cat in the tail with an arrow, scaring it off. Lucy’s resourceful actions highlight The Importance of Adaptability and Resourcefulness while her decision to go after her father—which ends up saving his life—develops the theme of The Power of Unity.

Tom, too, shows character growth and resourcefulness. After the Littles’ plan to get the cat in trouble with the Newcombs fails, they need a new approach to their newfound cat problem. While Uncle Pete suggests larger weapons, Tom comes up with a different idea: taming the cat. Tom notes that “[cats] have been friends to men since the early days of history” (69). Mr. Little supportively adds: “Now we may be little, […] but we are men” (70-71). This scene not only characterizes Tom as open-minded and adaptable, but it further characterizes Uncle Pete as the family’s foil since he always chooses a harsher direction than the rest of the Littles. The illustration at the end of the chapter shows Uncle Pete alone, sharpening his weapon, while the rest of the Littles set off to enact Tom’s plan—this emphasizes the divide between Uncle Pete’s ideas and the rest of the family’s.

Tom’s plan proves successful, but not without some tension and uncertainty. The ever-resourceful Littles use one of Mrs. Bigg’s yarn balls, which Lucy notes is “lighter than anything” (73), to entice the cat and get its attention. However, when the cat notices the Littles, it “went into a crouch […] getting set to attack” (77). The cat’s initial reaction to the Littles emphasizes the dangers that the Littles face because of their size. Tom’s bravery is on full display when he responds to the cat’s aggressive posture by talking to it in a soft voice and taking steps toward it. Mr. Little notes that “the cat didn’t know we were people until Tom started talking to her” (79), showing how Tom’s plan is a success. The novel’s ending mentions Tom and the cat becoming fast friends and going everywhere together. By changing his outlook on the problem, Tom develops the idea that adaptation and resourcefulness are important qualities to have when living in a dangerous world. The cat also works as a motif for this theme, as Tom’s adaptability turns the cat from an enemy to a friend.

Finally, the illustrations in these chapters continue to emphasize the size of the Littles and the danger this presents for them. The illustration that shows Lucy stabbing the cat in the tail with an arrow highlights how small the Littles are when compared to an average house cat. This scale perspective becomes important later when the Littles go to tame the cat. The illustration that shows Tom walking toward the cat also depicts Mr. and Mrs. Little’s fear and concern as they watch him. This helps communicate what a feat it is for Tom to tame the cat, whose size and predatory instincts work against the Littles.

The novel leaves off with a new conflict for the Littles: They must convince the Biggs to keep the cat. The final words of the novel hint at the potential for a sequel, in which the Littles will face new conflicts and adventures with their feline friend.