Word of Mouse

Throughout Isaiah’s story, food represents survival and bonding between individuals and, as such, ties into The Power of Friendship and Community. When he is by himself, Isaiah does not have much luck getting food. He finds a trash can with discarded food he can eat, but is forced to leave when a gang of rats arrives to take it. The food raids he participates in at the Brophy house show how food acquisition is a communal effort for the mice. For Isaiah, these nightly food runs are not just about satiating his hunger, but about bonding with the mischief. He demonstrates his intelligence and planning by coming up with ways to help them, such as using napkins to carry more food, and trigging the traps with acorns to provide the mice with safety.

His attempts to impress Mikayla always involve food on the raids, usually in the form of desserts such as the cream horn. Food also represents compassion. Mikayla’s initial offer to bring Isaiah into her mischief is tied to food. As she tells him: “We always have plenty of food. It’s good stuff, too. And we don’t mind sharing” (57)