Swan Song Dilemma Worksheet
7th Grade English Language Arts • Literary Analysis
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The Third Wish: Conflict & Inferences
Explore how characters' hidden battles and unspoken truths shape Joan Aiken's bittersweet fable.
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Conflict Analysis
Conflict Refresher
Internal (Character vs. Self): Struggle within a character's conscience, desire, or emotions.
External (vs. Character / Nature / Fate): Struggle against an outside force.
Inference Equation
Text Clues + Prior Knowledge = Inference
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Mapping the Tangled Web of Conflict
Identify whether each struggle below represents an internal or external conflict, then cite evidence to analyze how it affects the characters' choices.
Scenario A: Leita's Growing Melancholy
Type of Conflict: Internal External
"She had grown so thin and pale... yet she never reproached him. When she thought he was asleep, she would sit by the window gazing toward the river."
Explain what two opposing desires are clashing inside Leita's heart:
Scenario B: Mr. Peters at the Riverside
Type of Conflict: Internal External
"Mr. Peters sat with the second feather in his hand... He knew what he must do, but the thought of his empty house chilled him to the bone."
How does Mr. Peters' love for Leita conflict with his own fear of loneliness?
Scenario C: Mr. Peters vs. The King of the Forest
Specific Category: Character vs. Character / Supernatural
"I have yet to see any good come from three wishes," sneered the King. "Men are usually worse off than when they started."
How does Mr. Peters' ultimate decision with his wishes prove the Forest King wrong?
7th Grade English Language Arts • Literary Analysis
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Inferences & Theme
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Reading Between the Feathers: Text Clues & Inferences
Authors don't always explain everything directly. Combine Joan Aiken's textual clues with your knowledge of human behavior to deduce deeper truths.
Case 1: Leita's Refusal to Ask Character Motivation
Text Clue:
When Mr. Peters offers to turn Leita back into a swan, she replies: "No... You have been so good to me. I will not leave you to be lonely."
What can we infer about Leita's character from this response?
Consider: What values does she prioritize over her own physical longing?
Case 2: The Swans' Nightly Song Symbolism & Loyalty
Text Clue:
Two swans frequently rested near Mr. Peters' garden, flying over his roof and singing music that "no other mortal had ever heard."
What can we infer about the bond between Mr. Peters and the swans?
Consider: How did releasing Leita change their relationship?
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Synthesis: The Untouched Feather
At the end of his life, Mr. Peters is found dead with a serene smile on his face, holding the third feather and a gold chain, having never used his final wish.
Written Response: How does Mr. Peters' refusal to use his third wish resolve the central conflict of the story and reveal its main theme?
Be sure to reference the Forest King's warning, internal conflict, and the meaning of true contentment.
