Redwall

BOOK 1, INTRODUCTION-CHAPTER 11

Reading Check

1. Martin the Warrior (Book 1, Chapter 1)

2. Brother Methuselah (Book 1, Chapter 7)

Short Answer

1. When Matthias expresses his desire to be a warrior like Martin the Warrior, Abbot Mortimer explains the value Martin placed on peace by founding Redwall and caring for the residents of Mossflower. Abbot Mortimer attempts to keep Matthias busy to prevent him from becoming too engrossed in his dreams. From this conversation, it is clear that Abbot Mortimer no longer sees the value of warriors because of the peaceful atmosphere of the abbey. (Book 1, Chapter 1)

2. Cluny’s outward appearance is described as big, tough, and evil. Cluny attempts to control those who serve him –whether willingly or unwillingly, with coercion, bullying, and death. For example, he instructs his underlings to kill those who refuse to join his army. He is also willing to sacrifice his troops for his own selfish gain. At one point he sacrifices one of his own rats to hurry the tired horse that is pulling the cart for his troops. (Book 1, Chapters 1-11)

3. Matthias’s strong desire to be like Martin the Warrior begins to manifest itself as Cluny the Scourge poses a similar threat to the one Martin once experienced. Matthias first exhibits signs of being a warrior when he rallies the council after they hear of Cluny’s inevitable arrival at Redwall. This event prompts Brother Methuselah to draw parallels between Martin’s character and Matthias’s own. Cluny’s dream of his fear of Martin the Warrior foreshadows Matthias’s potential role as the new warrior of Redwall. Additionally, when he meets Cluny, Matthias does not show visible signs of fear and boldly rips the articles of surrender brought by Cluny. (Book 1, Chapters 1-11)

BOOK 1, CHAPTERS 12-20

Reading Check

1. His sword (Book 1, Chapters 12-16)

2. Ragear (Book 1, Chapters 17-20)

3. The vole family (Book 1, Chapters 17-20)

Short Answer

1. Cluny believes the Martin the Warrior tapestry serves to bolster the spirits of the abbey residents and is determined to remove the tapestry to degrade the morale of those in the abbey. When Cluny succeeds in his venture, the abbey residents are sufficiently demoralized but are rallied by Matthias. Cluny uses the tapestry as a banner in his march against Redwall. (Book 1, Chapters 12-16)

2. Matthias leaves the abbey with the intent to reclaim Martin the Warrior’s tapestry. While Matthias is unable to locate the tapestry because it is in battle with Cluny, he demonstrates his cunning, self-sacrifice, and bravery in his attempt. Ragear attempts to capture Matthias to gain favor with Cluny after his desertion, but Matthias is able to trap Ragear before he has the chance. Additionally, while searching for the tapestry, Matthias hears the captured vole family and rescues them while fighting a dozen rats. (Book 1, Chapters 17-20)

3. In the absence of the tapestry, Methuselah hopes to restore the morale of those in the abbey by finding Martin’s sword. The lettering likely points to where the sword may be located. (Book 1, Chapters 17-20)

BOOK 2, CHAPTERS 1-13

Reading Check

1. Silent Sam (Book 2, Chapters 1-4)

2. Sela the Vixen (Book 2, Chapters 1-4)

3. The king of the sparrows (Book 2, Chapters 9-13)

Short Answer

1. Methuselah believes those in the abbey underestimate his abilities because he is old and his “senses are failing him.” (Book 2, Chapter 2) Though he is older and while his senses may not be as sharp as the younger residents of the abbey, his experience and wisdom enable him to notice the tree that is bent in the wrong direction. His observation prevents Cluny from infiltrating the abbey’s walls and perhaps gains him the respect he is due within the abbey. (Book 2, Chapters 1-4)

2. The riddle found where the tapestry once hung is an anagram for Matthias’s name “Am that is.” The riddle reveals that Martin foresaw Matthias would be his replacement as the next warrior in the abbey. Matthias, given Martin’s blessing, will likely take on the role of defender for the abbey. (Book 2, Chapters 1-4)

3. Sela intends to sell the information she collects from Cluny at a high price to those within Redwall. Sela is not loyal to either side of the battle as she is only interested in making a profit. (Book 1, Chapters 5-8)

BOOK 2, CHAPTERS 14-23

Reading Check

1. Chickenhound (Book 2, Chapters 14-23)

2. Jess (Book 2, Chapters 17-19)

3. Captain Snow (Book 2, Chapters 17-23)

Short Answer

1. Chickenhound, having been rescued by the residents of Redwall, repays the kindness of the abbey by plundering the building and killing Methuselah. Even after his mother’s death, Chickenhound’s loyalty, like his mother’s, is only to himself. (Book 2, Chapters 14-19)

2. The shrews, having a shared hatred of Cluny and Asmodeus, agree to assist Matthias in finding Captain Snow. The fact that the shrews are willing to help Matthias reveals the universal hatred of Cluny and Asmodeus and displays the willingness of the woodlanders to work together against a common enemy. (Book 2, Chapters 20-23)

3. Cluny rallies his troops with threats, rants, and insults. For example, while preparing to storm the alley he threatens his troops with death if they take one step backward from the fighting. Cluny’s behavior is reflected in his troops (as those within his ranks attempt to curry favor). (Book 2, Chapters 14-23)

BOOK 3, CHAPTERS 1-15

Reading Check

1. Cheesethief (Part 3, Chapters 1-4)

2. Cornflower (Part 3, Chapters 5-9)

3. Matthias (Part 3, Chapters 10-15)

Short Answer

1. The shrews are argumentative and combative creatures. Matthias’s first encounter with the shrews is fraught with tension as the creatures accuse Matthias of trespassing. They are further inspired to help Matthias because of their combative nature with their desire to attack Cluny and Asmodeus. Julian, seemingly aware of the shrews’ argumentative nature, welcomes them into his barn as long as they are not quarrelsome. The shrews further argue they should not help Matthias attack Asmodeus because his lair is outside their territory. Matthias becomes frustrated with the quarrelsome shrews and their lack of progress, but the shrews eventually come to an agreement to help him. (Book 2, Chapters 20-23; Book 3 Chapters 1-15)

2. Squire Julian Gingivere’s purpose in this statement is to explain that swords are tools that can be used for good or for evil. He is encouraging Matthias to grow in good character and to use the sword for just causes. (Book 3, Chapters 5-9)

3. Throughout the novel, even before Matthias is revealed as the successor to Martin the Warrior, Cluny has nightmares about Martin. In his dreams, Martin is dressed in a hooded robe and threatens to impale Cluny with his sword, causing Cluny to flee from the figure. Cluny is defeated by a bell rather than a sword, but his dreams foreshadow Matthias’s eventual victory over Cluny. (Book 3, Chapters 10-15)