The Smallest Dragonboy

Anne McCaffrey is known for creating strong, intelligent female characters within the realm of science fiction. Consider the two main female characters in “The Smallest Dragonboy,” Keevan’s foster mother, Mende, and the Weyrwoman, Lessa: Which qualities do they embody, and are they constructed differently from the male characters? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

At the beginning of the story, Beterli has claimed the egg marked with “a large yellowish splotch in the shape of a dragon backwinging to land, talons outstretched to grasp rock” (9). Given that bronze eggs usually bear distinctive markings, it’s suspected that particular egg contains the bronze dragon. Though Keevan secretly stoops to touch the egg during every visit, he concentrates on another one that has a greenish-blue-tinged shell “with a faint creamy swirl design” (10). This egg is thought to contain a green. The bronze dragon’s egg is a mystery. Using the text to support your answer, which egg do you think the bronze hatched from?

Keevan is heavily inspired by Anne McCaffrey’s brother, Kevin, who suffered from a painful bone disease in childhood. How might her portrayal of Keevan reflect her relationship with her brother and his experiences?

“The Smallest Dragonboy” is written in third-person-limited point of view, the most common POV among works of science fiction and fantasy. This POV allows the text to delve into one character’s thoughts and emotions while remaining more objective and allows the narrative to focus more on action, instead of getting bogged down in internal monologues. However, first person can be powerful for creating more relatable and compelling characters. Choose a passage from the story and rewrite it in first person, showcasing Keevan’s internal thoughts and conflicts more closely. How does this change in perspective affect the impact of the scene, Keevan’s likeability, and the pacing of the story?

Keevan’s ultimate goal is to be respected and considered worthy, regardless of his size. In the end, he Impresses the bronze dragon, Heth, the largest of the dragons. Does this result detract from the concept of strength of character triumphing over size? Does Impressing a bronze over a green work against the story’s theme by placing more emphasis on the size of the dragon to indicate its worth? Cite evidence from the text to support your argument.

Describe the relationship between Beterli and Keevan. Why does Beterli berate Keevan? Are there insecurities or other factors that he is attempting to compensate for? Consider the events of the story from Beterli’s perspective.

Mende lists a variety of traits she believes dragons look for when Impressing a rider. What are some instances in the story when Keevan might have displayed each of these traits? Identify a trait Keevan displayed in the story that was not listed by Mende, and describe why it might have been influential in Heth’s decision to Impress him.

Right after introducing himself as Heth, the dragon mentions being hungry, at which Lessa laughs and mentions that all dragons are born hungry. Supposing this is not just a statement about literal hunger, what alternative meanings does this statement hold? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.