31 pages • 1 hour read
Beverly ClearyMuggie Maggie
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1990A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Summary
Background
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Character Analysis
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Tools
BetaSymbols & Motifs
Cursive Writing
In the book Muggie Maggie, cursive writing represents rules and norms favored by adults that are rejected or misunderstood by children. The adults and authority figures in the story, such as Maggie’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Schultz; her teacher, Mrs. Leeper; and her principal, Mr. Galloway, all know how to read and write in cursive and believe that it is important for Maggie to learn it, too. Mrs. Leeper calls cursive writing “a big step in growing up” (8), and though Maggie believes this isn’t true, she’s also frustrated that she is seen as immature for not embracing the task.
While the adults value this traditional knowledge, Maggie is unsure of why she needs to learn it and how it could be useful. Maggie tries to undermine cursive writing—and her parents’ and teacher’s authority—by questioning its usefulness: “‘But I can write print, or I can use the computer,’ said Maggie, arguing mostly just to be arguing” (8). Maggie rejects this part of grown-up culture until she herself has a reason to learn it. Once Maggie works at acquiring cursive knowledge, she quickly adapts to its rules and even uses them to critique her own parents’ work. This motif adds to the book’s theme of Children’s Expressions of Independence as Maggie tries to maintain her own identity and decision-making while adults try to influence her behavior.
The Pen
The pen is a gift from Mr. Schultz’s secretary, Ms. Madden, to Maggie. The pen’s symbolism develops Maggie’s relationship to schoolwork and adds to the book’s theme of Learning From Failure.
When Maggie uses her new pen to write a thank you note to Ms. Madden, she fails to write neatly and spell words correctly. Instead of writing it again, she adds, “Sorry so sloggy” (meaning sloppy; 38). When Ms. Madden responds by asking Maggie why she did not write her letter out properly, Maggie is saddened by this criticism, as she highly values Ms. Madden’s opinion and feels that she is one of the few grown-ups she trusts. This failure helps Maggie learn the value of good writing, as she feels ashamed because of Ms. Madden’s response. As the plot continues, Maggie must learn from her failures and work harder at her penmanship and cursive writing.
The Teachers’ Messages
Mrs. Leeper’s messages to other teachers, and their replies to her, are a meaningful motif in Muggie Maggie. When Maggie becomes the “Message Monitor,” she is disappointed to discover that the teachers’ messages are all in cursive writing, making her unable to read them. This failure undermines her independence, prompting her to learn cursive after all.
These messages help the author develop two of her major themes: Children’s Expressions of Independence and Learning From Failure. By committing herself to decoding the teachers’ messages, Maggie is finally motivated to learn out of her own self-interest. For the first time in the story, her desire for independence motivates her to learn since she is excited to feel grown-up and understand the teachers’ private notes. The messages provide a tantalizing glimpse into the mysterious world of adults, which Maggie cannot resist. These actions also contribute to the story’s theme of learning from failure. Once Maggie is motivated to learn, she applies herself to overcoming her failures and mastering cursive reading and writing.
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By Beverly Cleary
