Because of Winn-Dixie — Chapter 6

About This Passage

Notice the small craft trick in this passage: Opal does not wait for permission. The line 'before she could say yes or no' is a writer's way of slipping past a 'no' before it can land. Opal has learned that when you wait for grown-ups to make decisions, sometimes the decision is no — but if you act first, the decision changes. Notice also the lovely sound of 'with a hum and a sigh,' a tiny moment of musical writing where the sounds of the words ('hum' and 'sigh') match the sounds Winn-Dixie is making. Writers call this onomatopoeia — words that sound like the thing they describe. Copying this passage teaches children both a writing technique (the small forward motion of acting before being told) and a musical technique (matching sound to feeling).

Narration Prompt

Retell the chapter, then think about why Opal wanted Miss Franny's story. What was she really hoping for?

Discussion Questions

1. Miss Franny mistakes Winn-Dixie for a bear. The chapter could have skipped this misunderstanding and just had her welcome the dog. Why does DiCamillo include the bear-mistake? What does it accomplish for the chapter?
2. Miss Franny is described as 'very small' and 'very old' and is seen sitting on the floor, scared. This is not how powerful adults are usually introduced in books. Why do you think DiCamillo wanted our first impression of Miss Franny to be of a frightened, fragile person?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide