The Thing in the Forest by A. S. Byatt Please answer the following questions about the short story "The Thing in the Forest" by A. S. Byatt. Use evidence from the story to support your answers.

1. Traditional fairy tales rely on symbolic objects, actions, settings, or characters. How is "The Thing in the Forest" like a fairy tale in this respect? How is it different? Are there figures of speech in this story that you would argue are not symbolic? Explain

2. Is the "Loathly Worm" paragraph 44 supernatural, imaginary or real? Notice the description of its appearances. Can you identify different kinds of literal or physical traits that people can see? Can you identify three or more concepts, feelings, or historical conditions that it might represent? Is it personified? Does it resemble other monsters in literature, art or media?

3. Are "Penny" and "Primrose" allegorical( look that word up for its meaning) names? How do the differences between the characters add to the symbolic meaning of the Thing? How do their different actions in the story help reveal its meaning?