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The Phantom Tollbooth Norton Juster

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This edition published by SparkNotes LLC SparkNotes Publishing A Division of SparkNotes LLC 120 5th Ave, 8th Floor New York, NY 10011 All rights reserved. No partsoever without of the this written book permission may of be the used Publisher. or reproduced inSPARKNOTES is any a manner registered what- trademark of SparkNotes LLC. Contributors: Brian Phillips, Jeremy Zorn, Julie Blattberg Copyright (c) 2002 by SparkNotes LLC

2 you know. think Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Get great results throughout the year. Once school bells caused your heartAs to teachers quake circled each mistake. Use SparkNotes and no longer weep, Ace every single test you take. Yes, books are lovely, dark andBut deep, only what you grasp youWith hours keep, to go before youWith sleep, hours to go before you sleep. Whose words these are you Your paper’s due tomorrow, though; We’re glad to see you stoppingTo here get some help before you go. Lost your course? You’ll find itFace here. tests and essays without fear. Between the words, good grades at stake: or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Stopping to Buy SparkNotes on a Snowy Evening

3 4 5 7 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 15 15 17 19 22 25 27 30 32 35 37 40 40 41 42 42 ...... Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC...... Chapters 17–18 Chapters 19–20 Study Questions Suggested Essay Topics Quiz Themes Motifs Symbols Chapters 1–2 Chapters 3–5 Chapters 6–8 Chapters 9–11 Chapters 12–13 Chapters 14–16 Milo Tock The Humbug CONTENTS KEY FACTS STUDY QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTED ESSAY TOPICS REVIEW AND RESOURCES IMPORTANT EXPLAINED QUOTATIONS SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS THEMES, MOTIFS, AND SYMBOLS CONTEXT PLOT OVERVIEW CHARACTER LIST ANALYSIS OF MAJOR CHARACTERS or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form

4 tackles issues in 1961 it was an gave these readers an Grimm’s Fairy Tales has never gone out of print Magazine likened the book to Lewis The Phantom Tollbooth The Phantom Tollbooth Life and The Phantom Tollbooth which previously stood alone as the best-known The Phantom Tollbooth Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. New York Times is, in a sense, a modern take on Carroll’s famous work, which began to lose their appeal to younger readers who were alienated The fantasy novel is a longer, more refined, and more adult take on these Alice in Wonderland, CONTEXT Alice in Wonderland Juster never wrote another book, but In writing a modern version of the fantasy novel, Juster attempted to update the themes The fantasy novel remains an important genre of fiction as it is uniquely well suited The Phantom Tollbooth or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or Aesop’s Fables. any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form and remains a favorite among readers of all ages. to make them more pertinent tothat the twentieth simply century. did not existrelating in to Carroll’s life time. in Characters cities (suchlaziness in as of Juster’s noise), students book the in grapple boredom modern with schools. bredof issues by Carroll’s At ideas instant the about entertainment, same creativity and time, and the the imagination. book also incorporates some interactions. The best-knownor examples of thissorts are of stories. stories The such elements ofthe as magic more help mature fantasy plot novels construction appeal and to younger language readers draw while in older readers. such as by their older language and datedopportunity references. to enjoy a novel of fantasy to which they could more easilyto relate. audiences of all ages. It is often used to teach lessons about life through symbolic Carroll’s famous fantasy novel in the English language. was published in 1865, and anwas adaptation in of a some period of itsuncertain of future key furious in themes. the progress twentieth England century. as of In a the this 1960s time, country books known of the for Victorian era its of literature history pressed toward an Norton Juster was an architect by trainingCollege and in worked his as native a England. professor of Wheninstant design he at classic. published Hampshire Critics in the Context

5 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. PLOT OVERVIEW After helping save the Valley of Sound, Milo and his friends continue on their way to The exhausted Milo then leads his friends towards the Valley of Sound, where they meet On their way to Digitopolis, Milo, Tock and the Humbug encounter all sorts of unusual or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form of Knowledge and findDodecahedron, themselves a on man with the twelve outskirts faces,Dodecahedron each takes of the of travelers Digitopolis. which to see expresses the a Mathemagician, Therethe different after they Numbers giving emotion. them meet Mine, a The tour where the through trick digits the are Mathemagician pulled into from agreeingclimb the to through release earth the the Mountains like princesses of jewels. Ignorance and to finds Milo reach out manages the that Castle to he in must the Air. them and instead gaveSoundkeeper’s palace, business which to the people Dischord of and the valley Dynne. use to break Milo open steals theDigitopolis, sound a taking vault. sound a from shortjump the detour after to making assumptions the about Island their of trip. Conclusions, They swim to back which to they shore through magically the Sea Dischord, a fake doctor whosmoke. deals Once the in travelers noises, escape the andthe doctor Valley his and of his sidekick Sound, horrible Dynne, which racket, they a turnswho find out monster has themselves to in made withheld be of all completely the silent. sounds They of meet the the Soundkeeper Valley because people have stopped appreciating their legs grow down untilcities they of touch Reality the and earth.watches Illusions in The and wonder travelers come as then upon Chroma proceedonce conducts Chroma Chroma the past and has orchestra the gone his through off twin symphony the toto bed, colors of be decides of more color. to the difficult try than sunset to Milo Milo and, conduct thought,which the and he sunrise soon himself. manages he to has This fix made proves a just complete moments mess before of anyone the notices. colors, princesses. people and places. Just outsideAlec Dictionopolis Bings, they a stop little at boyyet. Point who of floats In View, above where his the they family, ground meet everyone’s because head he stays has at not exactly grown the down same to it height their entire lives and two capitals, he meets Tock, theMilo watchdog meets who King joins Azaz him who on presideson his a over journey. mission the to In world rescue Dictionopolis, of two princesses, lettersin Rhyme and the and words. Air, Reason, which who Azaz are floats sends imprisoned hundredswith in Milo of the feet a Castle off new the companion, ground.head Milo the toward and Humbug, Tock Digitopolis leave whom Dictionopolis where Azaz they has hope sent to along persuade as the a Mathemagician guide. to release The three the Milo, a very bored little boy, receives an unusualWhen package one he day: drives a make- through believe tollbooth. itBeyond, a in fantastic his world of electric imagination. toy On car, his way he to is Dictionopolis, one suddenly of transported the country’s to the Lands Plot Overview

6 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Milo himself must also return home and says his goodbyes to all the friends he made in The two princesses are thrilled to hear that Azaz and the Mathemagician have agreed Although they are afraid of the demons they might encounter, Milo, Tock, and the or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form tollbooth. Milo realizes that thereeven are in his all own sorts bedroom. of fantastic adventures to be had anywhere, the Lands Beyond. He returnsThe to next his day, bedroom he to hurries findthe home that from tollbooth only school gone. a with few dreams minutes Allthat of have he that passed. further should remains adventures be only is able to a to find note find his that way tells to him all that sorts he of has fantastic lands learned without so the much help of the to release them. RidingIgnorance on and Tock’s land back, in since the timethe midst flies, Armies of of they a Wisdom, soar led hoard by over of Azazthe the demons. and demons. the Mountains When Mathemagician, The of it suddenly two arrive seems leaders and thatreturn. welcome drive back all the hope princesses is and lost, begin a celebration to mark their each of these demons and make hisAir. way After to climbing the to unbelievably the tall top, staircasewho the to demands three the all travelers Castle sorts encounter in of a the trivial final informationMilo’s demon, and the sense bogs Senses of them Taker, humor, down in the meaninglesshis one questions. way thing past the the Senses demon Taker and cannot up take to Rhyme away, helps and him Reason. laugh Humbug head into the Mountains ofa Ignorance. dirty little They bird meet who theman twists Everpresent with their Wordsnatcher, no sentences features on into his his face whoDemon own stalls of meanings, the Insincerity, travelers the who with tries Terrible meaningless to Trivium, busywork, trick a andMilo them the has into leaving learned the a path to great the deal castle. from Fortunately, his travels in the Lands Beyond and manages to escape Plot Overview

7 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. — Azaz’s brother, the Mathemagician, lives in a world of numbers. —The two princesses were adopted by the King of Wisdom and raised —The Which, Faintly Macabre, has been imprisoned since Rhyme and —The Humbug is an insect who lives only to flatter people—especially him- — Milo first meets Alec Bings in the Forest of Sight, where Milo sees a boy —King Azaz is ruler of the realm of letters and words. Azaz and his brother CHARACTER LIST —Conductor of the great color orchestra in the Forest of Sight, Chroma makes sure —Milo’s friend Tock is a literally a "watchdog." A giant clock makes up part of his —The main character, Milo is a little boy who goes through all of his days in a state or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form except that which is right before hisChroma eyes. all the colors of thea day mess are of properly the handled. colors When of he the decides day. to take a rest, Milo makes tells Milo the story of theKing imprisoned princesses Azaz. and inspires him to broach the subjectAlec with Bings floating several feet off the ground. Alecat explains that the in same his family, height everyone’s head from remains thetoward day the they ground. are Alec born has until the the special day ability they to die "see through and things" that and their can legs see grow anything determine whether numbers or lettersequally are valuable. more The important, brothers Rhyme then and imprisoned Reason theFaintly two say Macabre princesses each in is the CastleReason in disappeared. the Air. It wasbut she once became her corrupted duty by to her select power the and began words to to horde use the for words every for occasion, herself. Faintly Milo to rescue the princesses. The Mathemagician Unlike Azaz, the Mathemagician has doubts aboutRhyme releasing and Rhyme Reason and Reason. alongside Azaz and the Mathemagician. When Azaz and the Mathemagician asked them to the fool by his constantway to attempts favor to with say King intelligent Azaz, he things. accompaniesKing Milo After Azaz and trying Tock to on brown-nose theirargue journey. his over which isRhyme more and important—numbers Reason. or letters, Once and he they realizes banish the the foolishness princesses of his squabble, King Azaz sends Tock body, and he constantly makesfrom ticking wasting noises. time. He patrols theThe Doldrums Humbug and stops people self. The Humbug is ignorant about everything from math to geography and proves himself Milo of horrible boredom. Thismake-believe routine tollbooth changes that when appears Milo in takes his a bedroom trip one day. through the mysterious Character List

8 —More nuisance than demon, the Everpresent Word- Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. —The Demon of Insincerity looks like a cross between a beaver —The Gelatinous Giant is so huge that Milo first mistakes him for —Dr. Dischord, a quack doctor, prescribes medicines of terrible —The Terrible Trivium is a demon with no facial features. He lives in —The Dodecahedron has twelve different faces wearing twelve differ- —The Senses Taker spends his days in the Castle in the Air trying to —A peculiar fellow who says everything three times, the Whether Man —Once ruler of the Valley of Sound, the Soundkeeper becomes dismayed —Officer Shrift is twice as wide as he is tall. In Dictionopolis, he works as a or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form people to millions of years in prisonThe then Whether immediately Man forgetting about them. is the caretaker of Expectations.he He never seems is to so go busy anywhere thinking or about get what anything could done. be and why that rob people of theiras senses an by ink-stained bombarding old them manpurpose perched with is over detailed anything an other questions. enormous than book wasting deceives His time. Milo appearance Officer into Shrift thinking his police officer, judge, and jailer all at the same time. Officer Shrift has a habit of sentencing The Gelatinous Giant a mountain. He isand the tries epitome to of look spinelessness. exactlydifferent. like He everything hides around in him the because Mountains heThe of thinks Senses Ignorance it Taker is "unsafe" to be that can never be completed. The Demon of Insincerity and a kangaroo.Mountains He of tries Ignorance by tothey throwing scare see half-truths this Milo demon at and for them, what his which he companions really are is. off only their dispelled when path through the The Everpresent Wordsnatcher snatcher is a birdothers who around to flutters illustrate around his own the cleverness. MountainsThe Terrible of Trivium Ignorance turningthe the Mountains words of Ignorance of and preys upon travellers, convincing them to undertake tasks practice. In protest,sounds she made since cuts the off beginning of sound time. The and Dodecahedron retreats to theent emotions. fortress He where leads Milo she andchisel his keeps out companions through all gemlike the digits, numbers to mine, the where workers city of Digitopolis. noises to all of his patientsand Dynne and invent has new an sounds, assistant, peddle a noisetonics pulls, smoke in racket monster the lotions, named Valley of clamor Dynne. salves Sound. and Dischord hubbub The Soundkeeper with the lack of appreciation of beautiful sounds and the rise of Dr. Dischord’s terrible Character List Dischord and Dynne

9 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. —Though he is a giant bee, the Spelling Bee is a self-taught master of —The Lethargians, minute creatures, live in perpetual boredom in the —The result of a statistic, the Half Boy is really the leftover .58 from the 2.58 or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form The Half Boy children the average family has.his time He on believes the in staircase to the Infinity. reality of averages and likes to spend Doldrums. They change colorsagainst thinking to and match laughing. their surroundings andThe sometimes Spelling enforce Bee laws spelling and enjoys randomly spelling the words he hears or speaks. Character List The Lethargians

10 Milo, is meant to represent the typical Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. The Phantom Tollbooth, Milo needs only the tools he has found through the course of the book: new ANALYSIS OF MAJOR CHARACTERS Milo needed the fantasyland on the other side of the tollbooth in order to be inspired When he finally returns to the real world, Milo is forever changed. He realizes that Through his encounters with characters in the Lands Beyond, Milo learns about imag- Milo finds himself under the wing of many characters who impart their different When an anonymous friend sends Milo a huge tollbooth, he begins a journey that will old or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form or engaged, the imagination, insight, education, and wisdom. he does not needlook the around him. tollbooth to The oncepractically travel perpetually everything. to bored exotic Milo Although is and hehe suddenly is magical decides inspired now instead places; and to aware enthralled examine he of by the the only how things to needs in travel the to more to immediate the world Lands around Beyond, him. Where lessons—sometimes intentionally and sometimes unwittingly. Milothese is lessons, open largely and because attentive he to must learnthe them book, in Milo order to learns escape not a only situation. values Throughout but also how to put those values to work for himself. ination, using his timethings. wisely, His perspective, ultimate words, goalliterally, sounds, is by to locating numbers the find missing and wisdom—both princesses Rhyme figuratively, a andand through Reason. host repeat his themselves These of education, themes as and often other Milo overlap finds himself in similarly sticky situations. change his life forever. What begins asfrom a Milo’s make-believe game perspective) (and eventually not becomes a veryworld a interesting called very one, the real Lands journey Beyond. intofrom Structurally, a Milo’s the wonderful journey inhabitants fantasy constitutes of a this seriessudden of unusual movement lessons land. between words, Oddlywas perhaps enough, before just Milo the another is tollbooth indication arrived. never frightened of by how his truly bored he yet he is horribly,uninteresting unchangeably and bored. has a He specialless. finds disdain Milo everything for does in his not his schoolwork, believeapplicable since life that to he anything to everyday he thinks life. be learns—numbers, all completely words, of or it anything is else—is use- Milo The primary character in bored child. Milo has everything a child should want iin terms of toys and entertainment, Analysis of Major Characters

11 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. to do. These lessons mostly have to do with humility, since not It is, in fact, his shameless desire to impress that leads to his involvement in Milo’s quest In many ways, the Humbug acts as a contradiction to Tock. Where the watchdog is Being born into a long line of watchdogs, Tock believes in the value of time above all When Milo first meets Tock, he is in sore need of Tock’s help. The little boy has a habit of or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form pitfalls of the Humbug’s egotism and the benefit of avoiding such folly himself. loyal, brave, and efficient, the Humbugwith is his selfish, blathering. cowardly, and Milo wastes learns a differentcome great sorts in deal of the of lessons from time form the ofthe Humbug, but Humbug what the is lessons the most arrogant character in all of the Lands Beyond. Milo witnesses the in the first place. When MiloHumbug and vainly Azaz discuss tries the to possibility take of rescuingvolunteering both the to sides princesses, go the of along the on the argument.safe mission, though So walls he of he would Dictionopolis. unexpectedly certainly finds prefer himself to stay within the The Humbug The Humbug completes the trio of travelers, havingResembling been sent an along as enormous a beetle, guide by the Kingfirst Azaz. Humbug and foremost has a just braggart; about theeveryone. Humbug that wants Unfortunately, much to the personality. be Humbug thought is He ofharder neither as is he smart smart tries and nor important to important, by be and perceived it as seems such, that the the more foolish he appears. understanding of the value of time,Tock it also is teaches Milo doubtful about that the Milo speed would ofhow have time time and completed the can his ways fly quest. in when which it Tockon can soars his move. out back. Milo of sees the Castle in the Air with a number of passengers wasting time on the most useless ofThanks tasks to and certainly his has no friendship appreciationuse with of time it the whatsoever. wisely. watchdog, It however,Beyond is Milo when important Tock leans saves to how him note important from that the it Milo Doldrums. is learns Without to his Tock’s help first and real his lesson newfound in the Lands warms up and explains thatup people to expect that watchdogs expectation. to be mean, and so Tock tries toelse. live His purpose in life is toenough, make so sure much that time and is yet used so wiselyrests little since from there of is, it. his contradictorily job Tock is and extremely devotes dutiful, all and of it his seems energies as to if he his never work as a watchdog. Tock Milo’s closest friend in the Landsa Beyond, body. Tock, He is spends a most watchdog—athere, of canine his with and time a decides patrolling clock to the for is Doldrums, accompany initially since Milo so very on much gruff time and his is gives quest wasted Milo to something rescue of Rhyme a scare and when Reason. they first Tock meet. Later, he Analysis of Major Characters

12 is pri- The Phantom Tollbooth Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. THEMES, MOTIFS, AND SYMBOLS or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form of which shocks evenRoyal Milo. Banquet, for Juster greatnatural uses order. comic the Rhyme effect nonsense and while Reason, ofand we simultaneously certain much eventually underscoring of learn, situations, are the the such imprisoned nonsense lack as in Milo a of the observes faraway a has castle only sprung up since their departure. Milo further travels in the Lands Beyond in favor of enjoying the things in his bedroom. Learning to Use Common Sense One of the definingnonsense. characteristics of Inhabitants the of Lands this Beyond fantasyland is engage the in presence all sorts of of quite ridiculous a behavior, lot most of city of Reality, for one,their begin city. hurrying As about a without result, stoppingof the to the city appreciate Valley slowly of the crumbled Sound beauty away becomewas of into so compelled nothing. unappreciative to of impose Similarly, beautiful utter the sounds silence residents learns that on the the the whole Soundkeeper folly of the of valley. taking Through his things travels, Milo for granted so much so that he decides to postpone any Appreciating the Things of EverydayMilo’s Life boredom is largely the result ofbedroom his is inability the to perfect appreciate example the of worldMilo around finds this: totally him. it unengaging. His is Through practically hisof overflowing travels with in people the toys, who Lands all Beyond, also of he which meets have a taken number the things in their life for granted. The inhabitants of the is, without a doubt, theIt importance is of only the by various using lessonsdemons the Milo who learns knowledge inhabit he through the his has Mountains of journey. gainedrepresent wisdom, Ignorance. that another Milo The major theme, princesses is acknowledge Rhyme able thehas and importance to not learned, Reason, fight only but who of his also what way of Milo how past he the as learned to use it. The Value of Education Though Milo never actually findsmarily himself a book in written in the praise classroom, of education.by The travels plot in arc of the a bored CityNumbers little seems of boy who to Words, is spell inspired the this Forest out clearly. of The Sight, most the consistently Valley pressed of concept in Sound, the and book the City of Themes Themes, Motifs, and Symbols

13 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form of gift from them.book, Considering these the interactions are importance likely Juster meantsignificant places to that on suggest that the education knowledge throughout gifts itself the Milo that is needs a Milo to gift. receives put It embody his is knowledge the also to lesson work. itself and are handy when often result in Milo learning an important lesson. Gift Giving Once he has learned what a given character has to teach him, Milo often receives some sort Juster frequently plays upon the dual meanings ofsituations. words and When expressions to Milo create orders humorous aWhen "light Milo meal" catches at a Azaz’s word banquet,physically on he appears the is in tip literally his served of mouth.more light. his can When tongue go the wrong in Humbug with the jumps theof Soundkeeper’s group’s to fortress, journey, Conclusions. the he a conclusion leaps word Juster out that of uses nothing the puns car and both lands to on amuse the island and educate, as these unusual situations Motifs Puns prison or when heand is the waylaid lessons by he the hasboredom learned Terrible and through Trivium. eventually his becomes journeys, With soflash however, good the Milo and at help manages excitement inspiring of to of himself the overcome his that Lands he friend Beyond to no Tock hold longer his needs attention. the Escaping Boredom At first Milo, simply, is bored.he His first tendency to enters be the consistently bored Landsback seems Beyond, to where change but he when once began. Milovalue finds Thankfully, of himself Tock time in enters and the the howclutches Doldrums scene to he of make and is boredom the helps right most at teach of later Milo every points about minute. in the Then the Milo story, finds such himself as in when the he is in the Dictionopolis therefore is both literal andin figurative. order to On truly the appreciate oneto common hand, the sense. he Castle must On in the learn the other Air all to hand, sorts release he of the must lessons princesses. physically journey Themes, Motifs, and Symbols himself, of course, is in need of some common sense. His quest to find Rhyme and Reason

14 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Beyond. In addition to being aimportant vital symbolic character role: who contributescharacter he to in represents the the Lands the storyline, Beyond who Tock wisebecause does also Tock’s use not company plays give itself of an Milo is time. a the gifthis gift. after time, teaching He Tock helping him him constantly is to something, reminds the defeat Milo the to only boredom make that teacher- the defined most his of life before coming to the Lands the knowledge he has gained. Alecgives him Bings, a for telescope. example, teaches When Milo Miloto is about frightened perspective change by and perspective what and he conquer cannot see, his he fear. uses the telescope Tock Milo’s gifts Each gift represents the lesson Milovails learned in from the the Mountains character of Ignorance, who Milo gave is it. able During to use his these tra- gifts as a way of implementing represent wisdom and commonKing of sense. Wisdom’s garden suggests Theprincesses, that famous fact they for their literally that ability were to they settle theto disputes fruit were the fairly, provide of knowledge an found wisdom important and counterpart itself. orphaned intelligencethem of is, in The Azaz therefore, both the and a the quest to Mathemagician.his gain journey) wisdom Milo’s himself and quest (through to the to return lessons return he wisdom learns to during the land (by returning the princesses). Symbols Rhyme and Reason As their names, which play off a well-known idiom, imply, the two imprisoned princesses Themes, Motifs, and Symbols

15 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS Milo presses on, leaving Expectations. The road gets increasingly curvy and repetitive. One day, Milo goes into his bedroom to find a strange package waiting for him. The box or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Bored by the seemingly endless circles,drowsy. Milo’s mind The begins to car wander also and seems hevoice to becomes informs very tire Milo and that grinds he to is a in halt. the Doldrums. As he sits, almost asleep, a distant road, he continues on hislittle trip. man rushes Before up long, totimes. he his arrives In at car. response to Expectations The Milo’s where questionstalks Whether an about nonstop Man, how excitable about to has navigation reach and a Dictionopolis, the habit the weather. Whether of Man saying everything three the city of Dictionopolis from the map and passes through the turnstile. Chapter 2 Once through the tollbooth, Miloshocked finds to discover himself that speeding the along tollbooth a was country no highway. toy He at is all. Since it is a beautiful day on the have sent it to him—itcan is return not the his box, birthday hea or opens book it. Christmas. of Inside traffic Deciding he rules, thatinto finds and there a an an is small unassembled instruction no electric turnpike manual. way car, tollbooth,approaches he one He a the of puts map, tollbooth the the he many tollbooth is toys together told he and is to gets usually have too his bored destination to in play mind, with. so he As randomly he picks everything in his life and is constantlyespecially trying dislikes to find his something schoolwork exciting orgeography because interesting. or he Milo math cannot and understand thinks that the learning use is behind "the greatest learning waste of timeis of not all." quite square butOF not TIME." quite There round is and no is return addressed address to on "MILO, WHO the HAS package, PLENTY and Milo has no idea who might Summary Chapter 1 Milo is a boy who does not know what to do with himself. He is bored senseless by practically Chapters 1–2 Summary and Analysis

16 The Phantom Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. is largely about discovering and appreciating what is interesting in everyday life. When the distance between Expectations, where he comes up with ideas about the land It is also important to notice that Milo’s feelings of boredom disappear as soon as he Juster sets up the premise so that there is a drastic contrast to Milo’s moping around the Suddenly a large dog with a clock for a body comes running up, frightening the Lethar- After looking around, Milo realizes there is a tiny man sitting on his shoulder who or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form ultimate boredom and laziness. The physical and the mental become one. Not only do where he can go next and what he can do. he is about to tour,loses and the interest city and of begins Dictionopolisallows proves to to his daydream. be mind very to long Here wander, and we and winding, see Milo so Juster’s he more physically specific wanders theme: into the Milo Doldrums, the land of leaves his old world behind.his Instead of bedroom being to frightened a bybeautiful the country sudden day highway transportation it in from is anthe that unknown excitement land, he he forgets Milo feels to isMilo and be so realizes, Milo is scared. busy pointless becomes noticing since eager all His what one to can brief a do see stop is more. wonder in (asking "whether" Expectations To questions) linger highlights about in Expectations, package. The gift-giver doesMilo. not have Here a Juster name, sets whichTollbooth out makes the him theme or of herMilo the as finds book nonspecific something—in on as the the mostnondescript common first, but place, broader then, his level: once bedroom&mdashthat opened, at reveals first a seems gateway to a magical land. gives us no specifics about Milo’sbe classes, friends, seen or as parents. representing Milotraits is a Milo generic, whole and symbolizes category thus are can boredom of and character, laziness. or an archetype. Inhouse-something has this to happen case, to shake the up Milo’s world. That something is the anonymous Dictionopolis with the watchdog. Analysis In Chapters 1 and 2,and Juster the sets other out more the specific. major theme Milo’s character of represents the all book bored in children; two note forms, that one Juster general asks Milo what hetime," is the doing watchdog becomes in furious the andtime tells Doldrums. is Milo killing that it. When the only Milo Hethe thing tells opposite replies worse Milo of that than that what wasting he if gothe he is him wants concentrates there. "just to on killing Since leave Milo thinking the drifted Doldrums and into he his the only Doldrums car needs by to begins not do moving. thinking, Soon he is back on his way to changes color to match it.chameleons. He then They notices introduce a themselves number as ofthe little the Doldrums, people Lethargians explaining around that and him thinking describe hiding and their like laughing idle are lives both in outlawed. gians away. The watchdog whose job it is to make sure nobody wastes time, suspiciously Summary and Analysis

17 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. As Milo and the shopkeeper talk about the construction of words, the buzzing of a giant Once inside, Milo and Tock discover that it is market day in the city, and the square or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form one looking more like a beetle, trots over and pronounces it "BALDERDASH!" way you’d expect an A to taste." bee surprises them. The Spelling"alarmed" Bee tells for them them. not to The betaking insect alarmed challenges. claims and that then he When spells the can Milo word spell expresses almost his any amazement word at and this proves it skill, by another insect, this Chapter 4 Milo and Tock explore thefancy-sounding word words market, (which looking are so over expensive shelvesonly Milo full with cannot of letters. afford even everyday Milo one) words samples and and an jars filled A and finds that it tastes "sweet and delicious—just the advisors, who have thedefining curious some habit of of the repeating wordsmarket each each in a other other dizzyingly complicated use. in fashion, leaving synonyms poor Thethe Milo and advisors as city. lost explain randomly as "I when the never he function first knew entered words oflot could the to be say word so a confusing," little," he the tells watchdog Tock. replies. "Only when you use a As the two travelers make theirgruff way behavior toward Dictionopolis, and the explains watchdog thathimself apologizes people for as his expect Tock and watchdogs launches tothe into be watchdog’s a role ferocious. speech in about preserving He the it introduces as value he of and time Milo and approach the the importance gatesis of of filled Dictionopolis. with merchants selling all sorts of words and letters. They meet the five royal Summary Chapter 3 everywhere, including seemingly boring places.to All get him Milo back has on to track do and is speeding use towards his a imagination more exciting and interesting place. Chapters 3–5 change his physical surroundings.other, exciting a Juster boring suggests place by thatexciting thinking place. a exciting thoughts The person or introduction can getting of excitedfriend the affect by in watchdog—who one finding the eventually an Lands becomes with Beyond—and Milo’s his the closest by suggestion putting that his Milo can mind escape to the work, Doldrums underscores simply Juster’s larger theme of finding interesting things Summary and Analysis Milo’s physical surroundings jump-start his mental process, but here his mental processes

18 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. The Phantom Tollbooth . Faintly Macabre tells Milo that only the return of Rhyme and Reason will free her. When Inside Milo meets the "Which," Faintly Macabre. She explains that she is King Azaz’s Officer Shrift begins his investigation by declaring everyone present to be guilty and Dodging swings of the grumpy beetle’s cane, the Spelling Bee introduces him as the or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form common occurrence in of the city that are quite wild.that In what Dictionopolis, as he in usually the rest cannot ofslowly touch the begins Lands or to Beyond, taste understand Milo finds this (like idea words afterin or his the reasons) interlude with word are the market. physical gatekeeper objects. andLands This wanderings He Beyond plot and motif, figures in it which out Milo with discovers the some help unusual of aspect the of the people he meets along the way, is a Analysis In this section, Juster begins toand themes orient that us will frequently in reappear the throughout the Landsthe book. Beyond first and Dictionopolis taste gives sets of the reader up the "civilized" some parts plot of motifs the Land Beyond; later, Milo travels to lands outside words, often using too many forand the simplest fewer statements. words to So she use, beganat eventually to all. becoming give so people King fewer miserly Azaz that became infuriated nobody and could locked speak the or Which write in theMilo prison. seems confused, she settles down to tell him the story of Rhyme and Reason. dank and musty dungeon.three into He a warns cell. them about "the witch" in the prisongreat then aunt shuts and the wasoccasions. once As in time charge went on, of she choosing noticed which how words frightfully wasteful would people be were used with their for which wide as he is tall. then begins asking verycollapse of confusing the questions marketplace. thatand, Officer pronounces seem Shrift a to finds sentence Milo have of guilty six nothing of million to various years ridiculous in do crimes prison with then the escorts Milo and Tock to a Chapter 5 When the dust from thelering Humbug’s in disastrous mixed-up clumsiness nonsense settles, because thethey all merchants right of the begin their stalls hol- and words sweep have upon become the the jumbled. spilled words, scene. Eventually, finishing up Milo just is as surprised Officer Shrift by arrives how short the policeman is, noticing that he is twice as Humbug, "a very dislikeable fellow."go The from two bad giant to insects worse when beginHumbug the begins an Spelling swinging argument Bee wildly and knocks with things the histhe cane, Humbug’s hat whole knocking off marketplace one his stall to head into collapse and another like the and dominoes. causing Summary and Analysis

19 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. It is also significant that Milo begins his friendship with Tock, the watchdog, in this All of this foolish behavior, especially the Which’s, can be linked to the disappearance of Another important theme that first appears in this section is one that will soon become This motif relates to the theme of education, a major part of Juster’s book. As he wanders or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form sea appeared and established a city that would become the Kingdom of Wisdom. Eventually Chapter 6 Faintly Macabre begins the story of RhymeLands and Beyond Reason were by when describing they the were horrible first place created. the One day, a young prince from across the Chapters 6–8 Summary in the Doldrums byaccompany getting Milo him suggests to that use Milothe his has book, imagination, Milo conquered will this and deal problem the withto altogether. a fact be number that the In of dull he the his little shortcomings, rest continuesthat boy but of to he he never has again was the will in he watchdog Chapter appear to 1. thank His for it. immediate friendship with Tock suggests simple common sense: eachobviously right of thing these to do. characters has lost his or herchapter, understanding as of it the represents anlot important to turning learn, point his for biggest Milo. problem Though was his Milo boredom certainly and has laziness. a Tock saved him from that Shrift conducts his investigationsentences and them to trial an of unbelievable sixalso Milo million tells years and a in Tock story prison. in in Faintly which Macabre, a she the behaved ridiculous Which, unreasonably, fashion becoming a and miser withRhyme words. and Reason from the land. Justera frequently number returns to of this nonsensical theme as characters Milo encounters throughout the book. The author’s message is that of vows to learn more about words. the focal point ofis Milo’s that travels: there Rhyme is andstrangely, an running Reason. element around of babbling One and nonsense aspect never to answering of it. any the questions. Lands The Similarly, Beyond Whether Officer Man, in Chapter 1, acts very the word market, Milo becomesfew increasingly he aware knows. of He how is many also very wordsevery impressed word there by there are the Spelling is. and Bee, how who Milo’s isa lack able bit of to of spell education trouble practically in when this OfficerOnce subject Shrift in eventually begins prison, gets asking Milo him him realizes questions into how that quite valuable he an cannot education understand. in reading and writing can be and Summary and Analysis

20 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Over the years, Azaz and the Mathemagician came to rely upon the princesses’ wise At last, Azaz and the Mathemagician were able to agree upon something: they were The king also found a basket with twin baby girls in his gardens one day. The king was or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form As soon as King Azaz’sleaving nonsensical only Royal Azaz, Banquet is Milo, over,dinner. Tock the and The guests the king rush declares Humbug, from that whobanquet. the he explains hall, will That that command would they that be his just have as guests all bad, eat gone Milo their to argues. dinners before the meal, prompting the waiters to bringwaiters plates bring filled out with platters a variety ofbut of half-baked can squares. ideas, cause For which indigestion. dessert, the the devours Humbug Milo "NIGHT explains munches AIR are IS on very BAD his AIR." sweet "THE EARTH IS FLAT" while the king Chapter 8 explains that they haveproposes been that they waiting have forroom a the carrying "light serving guests meal," platters. of and Whenbanquet immediately honor they hall. a remove to the set The select lids, of Humbug rayslittle the waiters of suggests more hurries light meal. that filling." shoot into Milo Milo, all the select over Milo who a the has dish not that picked the up guests on might the find menu "a game yet, orders a square keeping them there" and shows Miloadvisors and find Tock them the and way immediately out. lead them On off the to outside, the the Royal king’s five Banquet. Chapter 7 Inside the banquet hall, Milo and Tock find a sizeable party waiting for them. The Humbug declared that numbers and words were equally important. infuriated by princesses’ answer. Inthe an act Kingdom of and rage, imprisoned they banishedWhich them Rhyme explains in and that the Reason Officer from Castle Shrift "loves in putting the people Air. in prison, When but the does not story care is about done, the Rhyme and Reason. judgment as the brothers grew more andboiling more point competitive and when distrustful. they began Things arguing reachedtant. about a The whether two numbers rulers or brought letters their were quarrel more to impor- the princesses who, after careful consideration, Dictionopolis and the other establishing Digitopolis. delighted with the girls, whom he namedchildren. Rhyme and When Reason, the and he king raiseddivided died, them equally he as between his left his own instructions two that sons, who the would Kingdom also of have Wisdom the was responsibility to of caring be for Summary and Analysis he had two sons who went out in the wilderness to start their own cities, one founding

21 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. It is also important to notice the two companions who are assigned to help Milo. Tock Thanks to Faintly Macabre’s story, Milo also understands the need for Rhyme and The king charges Milo with this seemingly impossible mission, ominously telling him Milo gently suggests that the return of Rhyme and Reason might help sort things out. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form and the Humbug are, in many ways,is opposites. making Tock is sure dutiful that and selfless; peopleother his hand, use only concern cares their mostly time about wisely,himself himself. or particularly trying He Milo. to constantly suck up wastes The tonot time Humbug, important only by people on pointless like blathering but the King also on Azaz. counterproductive about for These the efforts Humbug. at flattery His are brown-nosing is directly it seems his next questprincesses. will His be trip to tonot discover Digitopolis only true and a wisdom, trek physical through which journey the butseems is an Mountains to symbolized educational be of by one suggesting Ignorance the as that represent Milo well.Beyond. two will In need order to to learn find some wisdom, lessons Juster in the world of the Lands Rhyme and Reason, they do have theand power letters to repress (Juster them. may be Their referring argumentstudents) about here is numbers to pure the nonsense, common a disagreements fact among that scholars only and the princesses, in their wisdom,Reason, can and, see. as a result,return. Azaz realizes Since that Milo Milo conquered is his the perfect boredom person and to laziness help in secure the their first section of the book, the Kingdom of Wisdom andexplains the the division literal between disappearance Azaz ofof and the the princesses education. but Mathemagician also not Rhyme relates only Instead to and they the are Reason secondary common are theme sense—something that aschools. is part While essential Azaz of to and wisdom neither the but Mathemagician the is had not world nothing taught to of in do words with discovering or or numbers. raising position but is calmed by theMilo king’s flattery. and As his a two crowd companions gathers embark to on cheer their them great on their adventure. way, Analysis In this section, Juster fully develops the Rhyme and Reason theme. The story of the rise of that there is "one moreover. serious Azaz problem" hands with the the young questhim boy that that a Milo he small will box may only that find learn contains itking once orders all handy it the the on Humbug is words his to he journey. go knowshis Recognizing along and might that on tells to as Milo agree well. will with need The everybody a all Humbug, at who guide, once, has the suddenly been finds trying himself with in all a very disagreeable The king agrees butway thinks to that Digitopolis it to is convince theMountains impossible, Mathemagician of since then Ignorance someone get and past would scaleAir. the have wicked the to demons two go in thousand the all step the staircase up to the Castle in the Summary and Analysis

22 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. The boy introduces himself as Alec Bings and claims that he has the power to see through Milo asks the boy how the boy is able to float in the air at the same time as the boy was In this section, Juster also forwards a number of recurring motifs. As we have already or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form in front of [his] nose." ilotells is him dazzled to by simply this start and thinking wantsrise like to an off be adult the and able ground. once to Milo see Thento does, things he keep sure as suddenly enough seeing well. drops he things back begins Alec as to to a the child earth since and it declares is that "not he’d so prefer far to fall." about to ask Milo how Miloexplains, is everyone able is to touch born the withinstead ground of their with growing his heads steadily feet. at toward the In theexplains sky, his their that, height family, legs where the they grown he boy will down comes toward be from, the once the ground. opposite they Milo is grow true. up; things. In fact, the only thing he cannot see, Alec explains, "is whatever happens to be right stop to enjoy a panoramic view.voice When counters Milo that comments "[i]t’s that all thea in view boy the is about beautiful, way his a age you strange floatingcontinues, look "If several at feet you things." above happened Milo the to ground. whirls like deserts, around "For you instance," and might the sees not floating think boy this was beautiful at all." Summary Chapter 9 Motoring along in the electric car, Milo, Tock and the Humbug take in the scenery and different meanings of these words and phrases, Juster creates a series of amusing puns. Chapters 9–11 on words, a way ofefforts using at the ordering a double-meanings meal of demonstrate wordsmeans this to motif: small and make first healthy. jokes. he orders The Milo’s athat waiters, "light" disastrous come however, meal, from take by the the which sun term he or "light"and light bulbs. to discovers, refer after The to same making happens the his when beams speech, Milo orders that a he "square" must meal "eat his words." By playing upon the his big mouth shut, he woulda not fool’s errand. have ended up escorting Milo on what he considers to be seen, the Lands Beyond are filledmotif with in nonsensical the people Royal and Banquet scene, deeds. adding Juster to continues it this a the new motif of punning. A pun is a play Summary and Analysis responsible for his unwanted appointment as Milo’s guide. If the Humbug had simply kept

23 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. The three travelers pile back into the electric car and soon drive up to a carnival-style Alec escorts Milo, Tock, and the Humbug to the end of the Forest of Sight, where he Alec next leads the group to an enormous open-air orchestra concert of over a thousand or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form in the Lands Beyond. His teachers include Alec Bings, Chroma the Great, and even the important they are tocareful life in before the heading Valley of out Sound. to make their rounds. TheyAnalysis bid Milo to be In this section, Juster forwards the theme of education as Milo learns his next set of lessons Within they find Dischorda himself, purveyor a of noise manup pills, with a racket ears foul lotion, that sounding clamorit, are substance salve the bigger that and doctor than hubbub summons Milo hisconcoction. tonic, Dynne, and head. his Dischord his Dischord terrible mixes and companions smoke-monster As Dynne refuse. sidekick talk who for Rather gulps a down than bit the waste about how wonderful noises are and how bids them farewell and givesreally Milo are." a telescope as a gift so that hewagon can bearing the "see sign things "KAKOFONOUS A. as DISCHORD, DOCTOR they OF DISSONANCE." Milo wakes up atconduct 5:22 the a.m. orchestra himself. andcontrol, decides causing The that all colors he the at should colorsrisen first let to and begin become Chroma normally set wild sleep but a and inlooks Milo mismatched. full like and quickly night seven again. Finally, simply loses times, after Chroma the comes hepassed. running sun gives up has completely up unaware that and seven drops days have his arms. It is 5:27 a.m., and it who talks about what a dulloff place to the bed. world would Before be he without goes,to colors Chroma before wake asks Chroma him Milo hurries at to 5:23 keep an a.m. eye for on the the orchestra sunrise. overnight and Chapter 11 bother to stop and appreciate things along the way. As a result,musicians, the all city conducted withered by away. Chroma theseem Great. to be playing Chroma their instruments, waves although his Milo arms, doesn’tthis hear and anything. orchestra the Alec is musicians explains that responsible for providing all the colors in the world. Milo meets Chroma, Chapter 10 Alec, Milo, Tock, and theclearing Humbug in continue which their lies walk a in magnificentis the metropolis. really forest, just The coming city, a Alec upon mirage. says,explains a is that Its large called Reality twin Illusions was city, and once Reality,things turns as would beautiful out be as to much Illusions, more be efficient but all if people around they in the went Reality travelers. everywhere decided as Alec fast that as possible and didn’t Summary and Analysis

24 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Milo learns another lesson in the Forest of Sight, this one from Chroma the Great— Juster also presents the lesson of perspective through the characters Dischord and Dynne. Milo’s lesson on perspective continues in the twin cities of Reality and Illusions. Since or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form color the world properly, one needs the education and experience of Chroma the Great. proper order, Milo witnesses what sorteducation of theme chaos here would exist. by Justerare. illustrating seems how Milo to important thinks be Chroma’s that further knowledge the conductingeye, it and the looks experience color that orchestra way. will Whenreally be he takes is easy to because, and the to how podium, he his unqualified learns untrained he just how is difficult to conducting do it. Juster seems to be telling us that in order to sounds. Dischord seems to think"disease" that that Milo’s ability needs to to appreciate be sounds cured,is such much reminded as as of music we the is might well-known a thinkand idiom the Dischord that same differ of "one over Dischord. man’s which music Here sounds is Milo they another prefer. man’s noise" as he or rather Chroma’s absence. Without the maestro of color around to set things in their his inability to appreciate the thingshappened around to him. poor In Milo the twin ifhave cities, he become we uninteresting, had see just what not as might corrected have they his did problem: in the the city things of around Reality. himThis unlikable would pair seems to think that noises are much more enjoyable to hear than beautiful the residents of Reality havedown decided and to hurrying from block place out to theirIllusions place, their is perceptions city even by has worse; turning become it their literallyto does invisible. heads be not The referring even city exist to of as theRemember anything tendency but of that a people before mirage. to coming rush Here to past Juster the the seems Lands important Beyond, things one in everyday of life. Milo’s biggest problems was boy as the smashes intoimportant trees to and notice bushes whenever that heAlec despite tries Bings the to is fact run aware that throughMilo the of he first forest. the has meets him only multitude It because a is of Alecbeautiful. comments single, perspectives that that ridiculous not everyone different perspective, would people think a have. forest vista In is fact, Bings has the unfortunate fateentire to life. have Rather to than look seeingalways at things have things differently the from as same he the grown-up ages,unusual same outlook. like perspective situation most for results people This his in do, relates hiseyes. Alec to will ability This the seems to contrary motif to see common of sense everything and nonsense but creates as quite that a Alec’s few which problems for is the right floating before his Summary and Analysis wretched Dr. Dischord. From Alec Bings, Milo learns a great deal about perspective. Alec

25 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Next on the tour is the laboratory where sounds are invented—and also become visible. The Soundkeeper turns out to be a perfectly pleasant woman who invites the travelers or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form the vault come crashing out.Milo After sees a the few Soundkeeper sitting moments on of adestroy noisy pile her confusion, of fortress, the rubble. and dust the He settles, Soundkeeper goesher and over is to very own apologize understanding. fault for helping She for recognizes taking"The that problem," it away she was all says, the "is to sounds use and each realizes sound that at the silence proper is time." not the solution. him. Chapter 13 Milo hurries back to thelarge angry cannon. mob where When fired, he the is sound directed shatters to the deposit walls his of stolen the sound fortress into and a all the sounds in Milo claps his hands andSoundkeeper about sheets the of silence paper in begintries the shooting to valley, but out. retort she with will He "But!"and not tries stay and hear to there. catches of reason himself He it. with short, quickly, and At the feeling silently, one the makes point word for Milo the form door, on smuggling his his tongue sound out with inside where they find sounds stillevery sound exist. that She was every tours made, them showingington through as whistled an the example when vault the he where "exact crossed she tune the that keeps demonstrates Delaware George on how Wash- that she icy catalogues night sound infiling by 1777." cabinet The having where, Soundkeeper Milo sure speak enough, then his walking "hello" him is over neatly to stored. a explains that the Soundkeeper, oncethe the lack benevolent of ruler appreciation of for the beautifulconsequently, Valley, sounds became locked and upset away the with all rise of theto Dr. sounds help Dischord’s in noises, by and her visiting she, fortress. thefortress. Soundkeeper Milo The and agrees blackboard and, stealing man with a asks Tock sound and Milo the that Humbug they sets can out use for the to fortress. destroy the Chapter 12 Upon entering the Valley ofseemed Sound, to Milo be can so afraid immediatelyticking, of tell a it: why crowd Dischord there of and isOne people no Dynne bearing of sound protest whatsoever. them signs As produces about Tock a frets the over blackboard silence his comes and lack down of writes the out road. the story of the Valley’s loss. He Chapters 12–13 Summary Summary and Analysis

26 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. At the Soundkeeper’s fortress, Milo learns about sounds in much the same way he Milo, Tock, and the Humbug pile back in the car and soon find themselves driving along Dynne comes running up with an enormous sack full of sounds that are not noisy enough or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form catches the word "but" inthe his popular mouth, expression Juster "on returns theSoundkeeper to tip of realizes his his motif that tongue." of her Once punningDischord inability the by and sounds to playing Dynne. have appreciate off been Beauty, all restored, asThe the sounds we Soundkeeper makes learned realizes in her the the justwisdom, sense last as and section, of declares bad is that this, as a she referring will matter to try of to Rhyme perspective. use and each Reason, sound at symbols the of right time. learned about words in Dictionopolis. SoundsBanquet become or tangible just in like the wordsforms at word and the the Royal market. elaborate catalogueall, When system Milo that he seems the is to Soundkeeper gain uses actually a to able greater keep to track appreciation of of see them both sounds noises in and nice their sounds. "true" When Milo Dischord’s perspective. Just likeunbalanced Milo appreciation and of sounds—they Dischord, seem the tolearns, residents prefer the one of residents kind of this to the valley theSoundkeeper valley have extreme. takes became an them so As away Milo unable along tohere with appreciate with all beautiful the the sounds city noises that of the as Reality,seems whose well. that city what Notice disappeared people because the take they plot for failed similarity granted to in appreciate the it. Lands It Beyond disappears. Analysis In the Valley of Sound, Justerto the ties larger Milo’s theme lesson of on appreciatingof perspective everyday from noises, life. Dischord the Just and doctor as Dynne Milo andreaches fails his to the sidekick appreciate Valley are the of beauty unable Sound, to appreciate Milo the learns nicer what sounds. happens When when he too many people take Dr. to jump away; they haveTock to are swim soaked back through to with thealready shore. waters knows On of everything, the is Knowledge while bone otherjumping the dry. side to Humbug, of Milo conclusions, who the comments and thinks shore, that the he Milo three he travelers and has are learned soon a on lesson their about way again. his quest. the Sea of Knowledge. Whenease each of of their the quest, three makes theyConclusions. an leap Unfortunately, unfounded they out assumption discover of that about it’s the the much car easier to and jump find to conclusions themselves than standing on the island of for his tastes. It turnsthe out Soundkeeper that happily he accepts. hasthe gathered As unpleasant up Dynne sounds nearly he hurries all likes away, have themore. the value sounds because Soundkeeper If of they remarks only help the us Rhyme that vault, appreciate and which gap. the Reason pleasant She would ones gives return, Milo she a says, package they of might sounds be to able remember to her bridge by that and bids him good luck with Summary and Analysis

27 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. On the outskirts of the city, they stop to see the numbers mine where digits are chiseled out Milo asks which fork he should take to get to Digitopolis, and the Dodecahedron responds Milo learns a second lesson in this section during his detour to the island of Conclu- or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form of the stone much likeman precious gems. who carries Inside they a meetfunctions giant the of pencil Mathemagician, the that an mine impressive he to the uses companions as and a then wand. invites them to The lunch. Mathemagician explains the are, the Dodecahedron remarks, "asis long wrong? as Then the he answerfoolish explains is of that right, Milo none to who of assume cares the thatThe if three just Dodecahedron the roads because offers question there is to were right three personally andcar choices escort with points one them. the out of travelers that them to was it right. Digitopolis was and hops in the what it is. He findsdone Milo’s if system the of numbers naming all veryJohn." difficult had and their wonders own how names, anything and get one had to dowith the a sum series of of increasingly "Robert ridiculous story plus problems. When Milo points out how silly they Chapter 14 Shortly after their detour to Conclusions,the Milo, road Tock, where and the the meet Humbug the come Dodecahedron,a upon a different a man emotion. with fork twelve When in faces, Milo each introduceswith of himself, which the one displays Dodecahedron face wonders if is everyone called "a Milo" and explains that in Digitopolis everything is named for Chapters 14–16 Summary beach, Milo finds himselfseems drenched to be in more the interested in waters soundingis of knowledgeable bone than knowledge actually dry. being while knowledgeable, Juster the seemsabsorb Humbug, to it. be who telling us that one has to be open to knowledge in order to sions. Once they pass througha statement the that Valley of demonstrates an Sound, assumption. Miloinformation and to They make do his decisions so companions without and each havingsions end makes enough by up deciding literally something jumping before toswim having Conclusions. enough through Since information, the he it Sea got is of to fitting Knowledge Conclu- that to Milo get must back to shore. When he finally makes it to the Summary and Analysis

28 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. After more climbing, Milo, Tock, and the Humbug finally reach a flat part on the moun- Milo and his companions leave Digitopolis and head towards the Mountains of Igno- Milo finally clarifies that he means the number of the greatest value, prompting the or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form politely asks for help ontime, a Tock few to tasks. drain a He wellmountain instructs using with Milo an a to eye-dropper, needle. move and Since a thetasks the pile Humbug and gentleman to of seems begin dig sand so working. a a nice, Soon hole grain the hours through three at have the travelers a gone accept by their with no end in sight. tually presents himself and explains thatthem his to purpose make is little to jokes. take the words of other and twist tain, where the find ano well-dressed nose, gentleman no whose mouth. face Despite has his no frightening features appearance, on the it—no man eyes, seems very friendly and Mathemagician gracefully accepts his defeat andmagic even gives pencil Milo as a a miniature gift. version of his rance. As themaking clamber puns up with their a words. dark, The craggy Everpresent Wordsnatcher, path, a filth-encrusted a bird, even- mysterious voice in the distance keeps Milo gives up on hishe trip finally to broaches Infinity and thehas returns subject agreed to of the to Mathemagician’s Rhyme release workshop,Azaz and the where always princesses, Reason. disagree. the The Mathemagician Mathemagician Whenhave tells refuses Milo Milo ever that to agreed, tells if allow he him he it canif will that prove since the that consent Azaz he Mathemagician he to and and and Azaz the Azaz release always of disagree the then they princesses. have agreed Milo to points disagree. out that The claims will lead to infinity, andthat Milo he happily should starts be climbing, back telling in Tock just and a the few Humbug minutes. Chapter 16 biggest number, and the Mathemagician leads himhimself and to asks an to enormous see number the 3. longesta number, Milo and very corrects the flattened Mathemagician number opens 8. a closet to display Mathemagician to give a lengthy speech about infinity. He leads Milo to a staircase that he Chapter 15 Milo’s lunch with theAzaz. Mathemagician proves They to dine be onleaves as the subtraction baffling poor stew, as Humbug, which who his makesAfter gorges banquet the them himself meal, with hungrier on the King twenty-three rather Mathemagician bowls,he than magically practically uses transports fuller starving. his the and magic group to staff his to workshop, dazzle where the group with mathematical tricks. Milo asks to see the Summary and Analysis

29 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. The faceless gentleman does not seem to be a demon at first, but there definitely seems The Everpresent Wordsnatcher presents the easiest of these challenges, since he is ad- The lessons Milo learns from the Mathemagician end this segment of his "education" in Just as he learned about letters, perspective, colors, and sound in some of his other or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form to be something wrong withunimportant him. and time The consuming. tasksthe he Juster gentleman, a gives seems technique Milo, to called Tock, be foreshadowing.up and setting to Though the yet, us we Juster Humbug up aren’t has seem certain for given justsleeves. us a what a revelation he lot about is of clues that suggest the gentleman has something up his tant to observe that theredifferent the than kind those of that games Justeris the himself that Everpresent the plays Wordsnatcher Everpresent with plays Wordsnatcher hisintelligent, are makes while pun very puns Juster motif. with uses puns the The to intent primary help of teach difference making Milo himself lessons seem about the Lands Beyond. series of demon confrontations, each of whichwisdom Milo will and solve the by gifts relying upon he his has newfound been given during his journey. mittedly more of a nuisance thanrather a well, demon. since Notice the that Humbug the Humbug enjoys seems the to sort know of the bird annoying word trickery. It is also impor- into agreeing to release the princesses,Notice the that ruler gives once him he anearly miniature has always magic learned gets staff some as a kind a lesson of gift. gift from from an them. inhabitant of thethe Lands Lands Beyond. Beyond, As Milo heMilo heads into puts the his Mountains learning of to Ignorance, we use. will begin When to he see meets how the Everpresent Wordsnatcher, we begin a the Humbug stuffed himself silly. stops, Milo takes in athis lesson section relates about to numbers infinity, in"longest" though numbers Digitopolis. in only the Mathemagician’s after possession. The the crux After Milo requisite of tricks puns the the Mathemagician about education the in "largest" and with Azaz in that the food seemsbaked" is ideas quite nonsensical. and "light" Subtraction meal, Stew, much does likein little the fact. to "half- satisfy The the hapless guests’ Humbug hunger—ratherbowls only the of learns opposite, how it, stew illustrating worksbanquet, after an it wolfing interesting was down role Milo twenty-three who reversal went with hungry Milo. because of his Remember misunderstanding that of at the food, Azaz’s while Analysis The introduction to Digitopolis, thenopolis, city the of city of numbers, words. resembles Milo the firstwho meets introduction one has to of the its Dictio- unusual bizarre inhabitants, the habitexpressions Dodecahedron, resembles of that cycling of between Azaz’s five his advisors,fuse twelve who Milo. also different tend The faces. to meal overdo His scene things with multitude and con- the of Mathemagician is also very much like the meal scene Summary and Analysis

30 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. And so the travelers are on their way once again. News of their journey seems to have They continue along the path for a time and, upon stopping for a rest, find themselves The demon warns Milo and his friends not to try to escape from the pit since he is "one The travelers run away from the demon, running and scrambling up the increasingly or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form giant away with it. spread across the demon network,their though, trail. and soon Once an they entirehad spot throng already this of met, horrible monsters Milo, crowd, is Tock, among and hot the its on Humbug members press all ahead of at the an demons even more they urgent pace. in the palm ofhimself because the this Gelatinous demon Giant. triesit. as Being hard different They as simply do it isso not can not big safe, to could notice the look be giant the afraid exactly explains. ofespecially like giant Milo anything, ideas. whatever cannot yet until is believe the Milo he that around Gelatinous pulls someone Giant announces out says the he box is afraid of of words everything, that King Azaz gave him and shoos the of the most frightening fiends inin this fear, whole wild but wilderness". Milo Tockthey pulls and really the out Humbug were. cower the He telescopeis takes that a a Alec small, good pathetic-looking Bings look animal. told atwanders away the Crushed him while by Demon would the Milo’s of travelers show realization Insincerity climb things of out and the as of discovers truth, the that pit. the he demon a confusing part of thethey’ve trail. been tricked. But before The they ownereyed, know of it, curly-haired, the they wide- voice drop introduces mouthed, into himself thick-necked,armed, a as bowlegged, broad-shouldered, deep the big-footed pit round-bodied, long-nosed, Monster—or and short- simply green- realize the Demon of Insincerity. confronts the gentleman and discovers that heand is worthless the jobs, Terrible Trivium, ogre "demon of of wasted petty tasks effort, monster of habit." steep and difficult pathbegins shouting with what the seems Trivium to not be helpful far advice, behind directing them. the three companions From through nowhere a voice Chapter 17 Milo, Tock, and the Humbugassigned are by happily the working faceless away gentlemanforever. on when He Milo the decides points absurd out to projects that usehow they he the long were feels it magic like will wand take he the him could Mathemagician to go gave complete on him his to task figure and out discovers that just it will be 837 years. Milo Chapters 17–18 Summary Summary and Analysis

31 old Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Juster repeats this plot pattern with the Demon of Insincerity, who tricks Milo and First, we pick up with the faceless gentleman who predictably turns out to be a demon. The talk of learning is interrupted by the demons below, who tear apart the staircase and The travelers bound up the stairs, climbing so high that they push through the clouds. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Mathemagician to work to calculate howthat long it is his the assigned worst task sort will ofwould busywork, take. he most unmasks Once probably the he have demon realizes remained, and beats busily a moving hasty the retreat. pile The of sand forever. his companions into coweringFortunately, in Milo a has learned pit how by to see convincing things them because that of he his interactions is in a the horrible Forest of monster. way through a number of demon encounters. After setting Milo, Tock,them nearly and 1000 the years, he Humbuglearned thinks about to he infinity work has and gotten on about the boredom, pointless better and of tasks so the that he trio. puts would Milo, the take however, magic has staff he got from the does battle with the demons ofthe ignorance preceding and sections, finally Milo finds has been Rhyme learning andand lessons Reason. that his have Throughout contributed to wisdom. his education number of As gifts symbols that he ofa will his combination also of use accepting his to personal of defeat changes the this and various the knowledge, demons gifts he he Milo has encounters. has received, Milo Through received is able a to find his send the Castle floatingback off to into the space. ground safely. Since The time group piles flies, on Tock his volunteers back, to and get Tock leaps everyone outAnalysis the window. In this section, the themes of education and everyday appreciation reach their climax as Milo apparently been expecting them.because Milo of stammers all an apology thewrong about mistakes with his he mistakes trip so made, taking long and as sobut he the long learning learned how princesses from to assure them. use him the Learning is lessons that important, is there they important explain, is too. nothing the bag of sounds thatwith the laughter, Soundkeeper pulling gave Milo him. from Thecannot his seize. package trance breaks since open humor and is explodes the one sense the Senses Taker They reach the castle and meet the princesses of Sweet Rhyme and Pure Reason, who have Chapter 18 Racing ahead, the three companionsAs soon they come reach upon the the first staircase step,Senses to they Taker the notice asks a all Castle sorts little in of man theand questions at Air. he about a writes the desk down travelers with all that a of become hugegame the increasingly book and answers trivial, forget upon in all it. his about ledger. The the They castle become and engrossed the in horde the of question demons chasing them until Milo drops Summary and Analysis

32 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. A huge celebration ensues and all of the people Milo met during his journey through When Milo finally reaches the princesses, they explain the need for his trials in the Similarly, Milo defeats the Gelatinous Giant with the words Azaz gave him, because or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Mathemagician, galloping towards them.dark places The from demons which turn they came. tail and run back up intothe the Lands Beyond show up tofinally congratulate tells Milo him the for "secret" finding he warned Rhyme him and about back Reason. in Dictionopolis: King Azaz the mission to save Castle in the Airthe and Mountains lands of with Ignorance a asglance sudden the over horde his jolt. shoulder of and demons The seesthem. spots group a them Just horrible quickly and as host begins follows. the of running demons monstersin Milo have that down their casts caught appears tracks. a up to and be Milo are gaining looks on poised up to and pounce, they sees inexplicably the stop armies of Wisdom, led by King Azaz and the Summary Chapter 19 Tock, carrying Milo, the Humbug and the princesses on his back, glides down from the from the Castle in the Air. Chapters 19–20 Mountains of Ignorance.Beyond; It he was also needed not to enoughthat learn he that to receives wisdom put Milo as those learned represented lessonsin by the to boredom Rhyme lessons good and and use. Reason. of felt Milo, minutes the Itproves who passing is to Lands once only like be languished when days, a he has handy does also realization discovered as that the "time group flies." uses This Tock’s ability to fly in order to escape there is nothing a conformist hatesmatch more for than Milo’s ideas. education Even and thethe seemingly wisdom. Air, mighty Milo giant escapes Finally, is the at no Sensessaves the Taker him base by comes relying of from on the his his stepsthe perspective, sense symbolically Soundkeeper to of gave represented humor. the him. by The Castle the laughter in box that of sounds that monster with unclouded vision,the Milo demon sees is that defeated. there RememberMilo’s is that ability nothing Alec to Bings use to saw that be things perspectiveduring afraid to from his his of an travels. advantage adult’s at suggests perspective; all, that he and has grown up a little Summary and Analysis Sight, and he has the telescope Alec Bings gave him. Once he looks upon the so-called

33 The Phantom like to make another trip," Milo thinks, "but I really don’t Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. would Milo has been learning how to appreciate and find the beauty in the things all Milo nearly suffers a gruesome fate at the hands of the demon hordes. Without the aid The next day begins like any other. Milo goes to school where he is distracted by thinking After Milo and his friends enjoy an joyous celebration, the princesses tell Milo that it or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form to fend off the demons of ignorance whereas Azaz and the Mathemagician, who represent of the armies of Wisdom, hehordes of and demons. his The companions fact that would Azaz surelyand and come the have to Mathemagician Milo’s been (and have the set destroyed princesses’) aside by rescue their illustrates differences the two the major important link themes. between Juster’s Rhyme and Reason, who represent commonsense wisdom, are powerless In this final section,Tollbooth, Juster brings his majoraround themes him full circle. as wellKingdom Throughout as of Wisdom the and value Miloand of himself we education. see returns Milo to in his When a home, whole Rhyme new these and light. lessons Reason are completed, return to the this, looking around at hisinteresting room things. in a "Well I whole newknow way when and I’ll seeing have all the sorts time. of There’s wonderful just and so much to do right here." Analysis he finds that theKNOWS tollbooth THE is The WAY." note gone. explainsof that In the there its tollbooth are place and many suggests ismany more that, more a boys wonderful thanks and note lands to girls addressed all theand in "FOR by now lessons need himself. Milo MILO, he is WHO The has free tollbooth to learned, do was Milo all just can the the exploring explore first and step, adventuring he it desires. seems, Milo contemplates while he has been awayonly and a hopes few that hours no have one passed.to has It bed. been is worried. near nightfall As and it Milo, turns who out, is exhausted, however, decides to go of making his next trip throughin the tollbooth. his electric He rushes car home and from school have planning another to hop adventure. When he reaches his bedroom, however, Chapter 20 Milo comes upon a tollbooth likeit the to one find he himself assembled in right his back bedroom where and he passes began. through He realizes that days or weeks have passed because "so many things are possible just as long as you don’t knowis they’re time impossible." for him tomet return in to the Lands his Beyond, home.highway including in his He his friends exchanges electric Tock goodbyes car. and with the all Humbug, and the sets people out he on has the Summary and Analysis Rhyme and Reason was actually impossible. The king explains that he kept this from Milo

34 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Our final image of Milo stands in stark contrast to our first. Rather than being bored Similarly, Juster addresses the device of the tollbooth itself. Remember that Milo was At the great carnival, Milo learns that the mission he just completed was, in fact, impos- or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form demonstrates the degree to whichBeyond he and has completes taken the to themes heart of the both lessons wisdom he and learned education. in the Lands his next journey. and lazy, Milo is inspiredbe and there fascinated than by in histhe the books world—so Lands gathering much Beyond. dust so on that He his he shelves, is would and suddenly to rather eager experience to the things look all around, around to him. crack This open that without the intercession of this magicalSince device, poor there Milo are would quite never have a been lot saved. mysterious of sender boys and of girls the in tollbooth thehowever, advises same has Milo boat to that as he Milo keep was can circulatinguses before take it. his his all trip, imagination. sorts the The of Milo note wonderfulthe decides trips the lessons that all sender of by this leaves, wisdom, himself sounds wants if like to he a only appreciate heap the of things fun before but, his having eyes learned before moving on to worlds of letters and numbersmore and than freeing they the themselves could imprisoned undertake. forcesone of Through only Azaz’s true believes claim so, wisdom that Juster would much addresses be is these possible concerns if with his characteristic wit. stuck in a terrible rut of boredom before the tollbooth appeared in his bedroom. It seems wisdom without education is powerless justonly as when education the without two wisdom come is together senseless. that It the is demons of ignorance can besible. defeated. At this point,leaning Juster and addresses wisdom. the seemingly Many daunting might nature think of that the what dual Milo quests has for done in bringing together the Summary and Analysis the two main areas of education, have the necessary forces. Here Juster demonstrates that

35 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. IMPORTANT QUOTATIONS EXPLAINED But it’s not just learning things that’s important. It’s learning what to do with what you Everyone loved the princesses because of their great beauty, their gentle ways, and their If we didn’t collect them, the air would be full of old sounds and noises bouncing around or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Chapter 18. Milo explains thatthere if he sooner. had The not princesses, made of sothey course, many tell are mistakes, him he pleased would that by have his mistakesThey gotten eagerness are then and perfectly good elaborate all nature, on right, and Milo’s learning, so education long illustrating in as the the Milo importance Lands has Beyond Juster learned can places from be on them. broken this into theme. two phases. In the first phase, 3. learn and learning why you learn thingsThe at all princess that of matters. Rhyme tells this to Milo when he finally reaches the Castle of the Air in do not function as they doin in the lands, the so real are world. sounds, Just andmess. they as must words The be and snatched Soundkeeper’s number out description are ofher of the physical job air objects the lest also chaos they create relates that a toover would terrible Chroma’s the occur job concept if of of she conducting stopped orderorder, the the doing that world color Milo would orchestra. learned be a about Juster horribly when suggests confusing he that place. tried without to proper take and bumping into things.were It listening would to be an terribly old one confusing or because aIn you’d Chapter new never one. 12 know we if learn you thatall one the of sounds the in Soundkeeper’s the manyin word. jobs a is In way to that this collect indicates quotation much and she about catalogue the explains world why of this the Lands function Beyond, is namely so that important sounds there of the missing princesses’Faintly helps refers Milo to understand the why. ongoingand feud It Reason between can is Azaz resolve. also and important the to Mathemagician that notice only that Rhyme 2. This quotation comes from Faintlyin Macabre’s Chapter account 6. of the Here historybeen she of speaks imprisoned the of in Lands the Beyond the twinprincesses Castle princesses played in Rhyme and in the Reason, Air. thebusiness who that everyday have Milo Faintly’s witnesses since affairs description in the of of lands.Milo the the already Though seems he important kingdom to has think role only explains it seen is the the a a fraction place odd, where of the the ridiculous nonsensical country, rules, and Faintly’s explanation 1. ability to settle all controversies fairly andand reasonably... Reason It was settle said all by problems. everyone that Rhyme Important Quotations Explained

36 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. I’m afraid of everything. That’s why I’m so ferocious. If the others found out, I’d just We always see things from the same angle... It’s much less trouble that way. Besides, it or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form mimicking the mountains around him. Thisthinking. quotation illustrates People Juster’s viewpoint who of try group toafraid fit in of by being copying with different. everyoneafraid else, The because he seems that giant to might is think, make also areeverything. him just petrified stand The that out Gelatinous someone from Giant will is theMilo uses especially crowd. find the afraid out He words of that is, in different he Azaz’s as ideas, box he is as to said, scare we afraid him learn of away. when 5. die. Now do be quiet while IThe eat Gelatinous my Giant, breakfast. one ofMountains the of many Ignorance, demons is a Miloand monster meets simply of throughout agree conformity. Chapter with He 17 everyone lives in around every the day him. trying Milo to blend stumbles in upon the giant because he is would obviously see it the otherhis way altitude. around, since Juster he seems avoids toof scrapes suggest and growing that scuffs up because the and of mistakes thatfrom children it them. make is are better an to important make part mistakes while young, since it’s easier to learn one is safer.same Of way course, whether Milo he’s is eightchanging horrified perspectives or by throughout eighty life, the years as prospectoff old. Milo the of ground considers Here looking like what Juster at Alec itan demonstrates things Bings. would adult" the the he be Eventually, value is exact Milo like of able decides tohe to to live remarks levitate try up that himself and looking for and at a by few things thinking minutes. like "like a When child he is falls better back because to you the earth, don’t fall so far. Alec makes more sense to grow down and notWhen up. Milo first meets Alec Bingswould in grow Chapter 9, down he rather isdubious than perplexed of by up. the the idea notion of that Asof growing a in demonstrated person his Milo’s by family’s way. way this Here of he quotation, lists growing: Alec what he one’s is thinks perspective similarly are remains the the benefits same all through life and In the second phase—whichAir—the Milo lessons has must just be completeddemons put and when to comes he to use. reaches appreciate even the Milo more Castle the uses knowledge in what he the has he gained. has4. learned to defeat a host of Important Quotations Explained Milo encounters teachers of sorts who dispense lessons that are commemorated with gifts.

37 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. KEY FACTS to character, revealing a number of characters’ thoughts and actions. The point of view is from a third person omniscient narrator who skips from character 1961 Epstein & Carroll Associates Anonymous 1961; Hampshire, England. Young adult, Fiction, Fantasy English Novel The Phantom Tollbooth Norton Juster or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form TONE NARRATOR POINT OF VIEW DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION PUBLISHER TIME AND PLACE WRITTEN GENRE LANGUAGE AUTHOR TYPE OF WORK FULL TITLE Key Facts

38 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. The value of education;common sense; appreciating escaping the boredom things of everyday life; learning to use The armies of Wisdom,demons led and by welcome Azaz Rhyme and and Reason his back brother to the the Mathemagician land. route the charges him with the mission of finding and releasing them. After much travel and difficulty,out Milo of find the the Castle princesses in the andof Air. demons. manages Once to on get the them ground, the group is surrounded by hordes After Faintly Macabre tells him the story of the princesses’ disappearance, King Azaz Milo To release the princesses Rhymethe and Air. Reason from imprisonment in the Castle in The Lands Beyond, a strange fantasyland. mostly like a whimsical fairy tale. Past tense Unclear, but relatively modern The tone in the book isdanger, playful such and as fantastic. Milo’s Though encounters there are with moments the of demons serious of ignorance, the book reads or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form THEMES FALLING ACTION CLIMAX MAJOR CONFLICT RISING ACTION PROTAGONIST SETTING (TIME) SETTING (PLACE) TENSE Key Facts

39 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. The secret, it turns out, is that Milo’s mission is impossible. Rhyme and Reason, Milo’s gifts, Tock When he gives Milo his mission,the quest. Azaz tells However, he him will that only tell there Milo is about a it serious once he problem has with completed his journey. Puns; gift giving. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form FORESHADOWING SYMBOLS Key Facts MOTIFS

40 world, namely that real Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. STUDY QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTED ESSAY TOPICS or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form and Tock. The most likelythe answer two lies characters are in basically the opposites.a relationship In more between creating Tock realistic these and educational opposing the environment forces,(and Humbug; Juster for the creates other Milo. teacher-characters in As the much Lands as Beyond) he the is Humbug is learning always from there Tock trying The most obvious reason is because Kingsuck-up, Azaz has tells been him dancing to. around The thesides. Humbug, argument who So over is when the a Azaz decides horrible princesses to and sendthat trying Milo the on to the Humbug take quest, both has he is volunteered underwould the for chose erroneous to the impression have job. such an Still, obviously this unlikable leaves character the tag along question with of his why heroes, Juster Milo sense, represented by Rhyme and Reason,nonsense has has been begun lost to because run of this amok.bridge foolish It this conflict, is and gap up and to restore young wisdom student to like Milo, the as land. Faintly suggests, to 3. Why does the Humbug come along on Milo’s journey? On the surface, the Which’s taleHowever, seems there like is a much straightforward more historymimics of to a the her real Lands one account. Beyond. by changing Instory some fact is basics, it really such about as is character the largely names problemsthe an and with different allegory: settings. education disciplines, present Faintly’s a in number story Juster’s andmore that important letters, that have they’ve forgotten become about so the busy big fighting picture. over The which basic wisdom is of common all of the differentseemingly perspectives one-dimensional available life. to him.back All to of Again, his particular education—or this lack things makes thereof. that him make bored Milo with so his bored2. relate What is the meaning of Faintly Macabre’s story? Though he does not eveneducation know it, about Milo’s life. boredom comes He fromfrom only a people number becomes he of aware meets failings of inthat in the these he his has Lands gaps been Beyond. when frittering his he When timehim away learns he feel instead the meets of bored. trying Tock, solutions to for make When example, the he most he of meets learns it. Alec This Bings, makes Milo realizes that he has not been enjoying Study Questions 1. Why is Milo so bored before he goes to the Lands Beyond? Study Questions and Suggested Essay Topics

41 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 9. What would have happenedWould he to have Milo stayed if there Tock forever? had not shown up in the Doldrums? or she have to send it to Milo? 8. What would the Kingof of the Wisdom— state Azaz of and thingssons the in have Mathemagician’s the been father—think Lands looking Beyond? after the Would kindgom? he be pleased with the way his 5. What lessons could the Soundkeeper learn from Dischord and Dynne? 6. Why does Faintly Macabre remain in prison, despite knowing how7. to escape? Who might the anonymous sender of the tollbooth be? What reasons would he thus, everything falls apart when he tries to play conductor. Suggested Essay Topics strange that they do notChroma, the know conductor, represents better order and than discipline to withoutsupreme. which make nonsense He would the provides reign sky an underlying turnapparent, structure red is and or crucial discipline plants to that, the turn thoughconducting not orchestra’s orange. and functioning. immediately lacking discipline Milo, himself, being is uneducated unable in to the provide ways this of for the orchestra, and, to actually be smart. 4. Why does Milo fail at conductingMilo assumes Chroma’s that orchestra? the musicians in theing orchestra to will simply Chroma know himself, what to they do have since, accord- been at their jobs since the dawn of time. It does seem Study Questions and Suggested Essay Topics to hold him back or to convince him that it is more important to seem like one is smart than

42 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. REVIEW AND RESOURCES A. Chroma B. Dr. Dischord C. Alec Bings D. The Humbug A. Because they tried to takeB. over Because the they kingdom stole from theC. numbers Because mine they said letters andD. Because numbers they were were equally demons important in disguise A. King Azaz B. The Mathemagican C. Faintly Macabre D. Nobody knows B. Tricks the Lethargians C. Wishes on a falling star D. Runs real fast B. King Azaz C. The Whether Man D. The Mathemagician A. Uses his imagination A. The Spelling Bee or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 5. Who keeps Dynne in a bottle? 4. Why did Azaz and the Mathemagician banish Rhyme and Reason? 3. Who sent Milo the tollbooth? 2. How does Milo get out of the Doldrums? Quiz 1. Who is the first person Milo meets in the Lands Beyond? Review and Resources

43 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. D. 6,000,000 A. By swimming through the SeaB. of By Knowledge walking across the BrainyC. Bridge By wading on the SandD. By Bar riding of on Smarts the Waterskis of Wisdom A. six B. sixty C. 600 A. Because he’s made of stone B. Because he has snow onC. his Because head the giant tries toD. Because blend his in middle with name his is surroundings "Everest" A. The longest number there is B. A small version of hisC. own The magic Dodecahedron staff D. A math headache A. She thinks people don’tB. appreciate She them. is greedy. C. She hates sounds. D. She thinks that sounds should not be shared. C. Bach D. They don’t play music at all. A. Mozart B. Brahms or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 11. How do Milo, Tock, and the Humbug get off the island of Conclusions? 10. How many years is Milo’s prison sentence from Officer Shrift? 9. Why does Milo mistake the Gelatinous Giant for a mountain? 8. What does the Mathemagician give Milo as a gift? 7. Why does the Soundkeeper lock all the sounds up in her vault? Review and Resources 6. What sort of music does Chroma’s orchestra play?

44 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. D. Officer Shrift drops from the sky and crushes him. C. In his ear D. Under his hat A. Milo figures out how longB. Tock the sticks tasks him will with take. hisC. eyedropper. The Humbug bores him to sleep with talk of history. A. In his pocket B. On the tip of his tongue D. He lives in the Castle in the Air. A. Expectations B. Dictionopolis C. The Doldrums D. Conclusions A. He ate too much subtractionB. He stew. thinks like and hasC. the He perspective got of caught a on grown-up. one of the Whether Man’s balloons. A. She made fun ofB. Officer She Shrift’s weight stole problem. from the wordC. She market. began to horde allD. She of kidnapped the Rhyme words and in Reason. Dictionopolis. B. He shamelessly sucks up toC. King He Azaz. takes both sides inD. All the of argument the about above whether it could be done. A. He tries to take credit for the idea. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 17. How do Milo, Tock, and the Humbug escape the Terrible Trivium? 16. How does Milo get a sound out of the Soundkeeper’s fortress? 15. Where does Milo meet Tock? 14. Why does Alec Bings float? 13. How did Faintly Macabre end up in prison? and Reason? Review and Resources 12. Why does the Humbug accompany Milo and Tock on their quest to save Rhyme

45 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. D. When he’s done appreciating the things in the real world A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4 A. The very next day B. The very next week C. The very next month A. For a chuckle B. Because Azaz is in theC. Because CIA Milo only could haveD. accomplished Because it Azaz if enjoys watching he little didn’t boys know fail it miserably was in impossible life A. A day B. A year C. A lifetime D. A few of hours A. He has wings. B. Time flies. C. He’s related to Alec Bings. D. Everyone can fly in the Lands Beyond. C. Nonsense D. Sense of humor A. Sense of direction B. Sense of smell or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 23. What is the biggest number the Mathemagician has? 22. When does Milo plan to make his second trip to the Lands Beyond? 21. Why didn’t Azaz tell Milo his mission was impossible? 20. How much times passes in the real world while Milo is off in the Lands Beyond? 19. How is it that Tock can fly? Review and Resources 18. What is the one thing the Senses Taker can’t get from Milo?

46 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. A. The tune George Washington whistledB. while The crossing sound the of Delaware one handC. The clapping sound of silence D. A parcel of beautiful sounds with lots of laughter mixed in C. He thinks of how importantD. He his goes mission into is. therapy. A. He uses his telescopeB. to He see gets the a Demon pep-talk for what from he the really Humbug. is. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 25. What gift does the Soundkeeper give Milo? Review and Resources 24. How does Milo overcome his fear of the Demon of Insincerity?

47 :D :C :A :D 22 23 24 25 :B :A :D :B :D :C :C 16 17 18 19 20 21 15 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. :D :A :D :C :B :B :C 13 14 10 11 12 8 9 or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. :D :A :D :C :B :C :A All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 6 7 3 4 5 Answer Key: 1 2 Review and Resources

48 The Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. a reproduction of the original 1961 print. Page numbers may vary in : This SparkNote uses the 1989 Random House hardcover illustrated edition of or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Phantom Tollbooth, other editions, especially those in paperback. Review and Resources Note