Introduction
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl Roald Dahl’s well-known children’s book, The BFG (short for “The Big Friendly Giant”), was first released in 1982. The book narrates the charming tale of Sophie, a little orphan, and her friendship with the BFG, a kind giant.
In contrast to the other giants that live in Giant Country, the BFG is amiable, compassionate, and kind-hearted, as the title implies. Together, Sophie and the BFG embark on incredible adventures that help them vanquish the other giants that torment the earth by devouring human children. With Dahl’s signature wit and sense of humor, the book is full of themes of friendship, bravery, kindness, and the power of imagination.
Plot Summary of The BFG
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl Sophie is a young orphan residing in an orphanage at the start of the book. She can’t sleep one night, so she looks out her window and sees a gigantic strolling through London’s streets. When the giant sees Sophie observing him, he chooses to bring her to Giant Country in spite of his initial fear of being discovered. The giant, who identifies himself as the Big Friendly Giant (BFG), assures Sophie that he doesn’t mean any harm, despite her fear.
The BFG is different from the other giants Sophie learns about; although the others are vicious and frightening, the BFG is kind and compassionate. He clarifies that the reason he is shunned by the giants is that he does not consume human children as they do. He instead subsists on “frothbuggles” and “whizzpoppers,” which are prepared using a blend of unique plants and materials that he collects from the fields.
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl The BFG also tells Sophie about the other giants in Giant Country, who are not so friendly. These giants are much bigger than the BFG and have an appetite for human children, sneaking into villages and taking children to eat. The BFG feels guilty that he is unable to stop them, but he has a plan to put an end to their reign of terror.
As Sophie and the BFG grow closer, Sophie learns more about his past and the work he does for the Queen. The BFG’s job is to catch dreams and give them to children while they sleep. He is a dream collector who creates wonderful dreams for children to experience. Sophie and the BFG decide to go to the Queen of England and tell her about the giants’ evil behavior. They plan to bring the Queen’s attention to the giants and work with her to stop them once and for all.
Read more
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl When Sophie and the BFG arrive at Buckingham Palace, they are initially met with skepticism. However, after Sophie convinces the Queen that the BFG is telling the truth, the Queen agrees to help them. Together, they hatch a plan to trap the evil giants and keep them from terrorizing children again. The BFG uses his knowledge of dreams and the Queen’s resources to create a plan that will involve the capture and imprisonment of the giants.
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl In the final chapters, the giants are trapped in a deep pit and are put on display for all to see. They are no longer a threat to children, and the BFG and Sophie are hailed as heroes. Sophie is adopted by the Queen and is given a new home, while the BFG is finally recognized for his kind heart and heroism. The story ends with Sophie and the BFG continuing their special friendship, with the BFG now welcomed into society as a beloved figure.
Themes in The BFG
1 Friendship: The central theme of The BFG is the power of friendship. Sophie and the BFG share a deep, meaningful bond that allows them to overcome their fears and face tremendous challenges together. Sophie’s trust in the BFG and the BFG’s kindness and support for Sophie are key to the story’s development.
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl Their friendship is built on mutual respect, understanding, and empathy. Throughout their adventure, Sophie and the BFG demonstrate the importance of being there for one another, even when the world around them is threatening and uncertain.
2 Kindness and Compassion: The contrast between the BFG and the other giants highlights the theme of kindness and compassion. While the other giants are violent, selfish, and cruel, the BFG stands out as a kind-hearted figure who only wants to help others. His decision to not eat human children, his role as a dream collector, and his desire to protect Sophie demonstrate his compassionate nature.
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl In contrast, the other giants’ maliciousness shows how harmful a lack of kindness can be. The novel teaches children the importance of being compassionate toward others and standing up for what is right.
3 Courage: The BFG is also about courage—both physical and moral. Sophie and the BFG show great bravery throughout the story. Sophie’s courage is evident when she bravely confronts the giants and risks her life to help the BFG. She is unafraid to speak the truth and stand up for what is right, even in the face of great danger.
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl Similarly, the BFG displays immense courage in taking a stand against his own kind, deciding to confront the evil giants and work with Sophie to stop their terror. The novel teaches readers that true courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to do what is right even when it is difficult.
4 Imagination: Dahl’s story is steeped in the power of imagination, a theme that resonates deeply in the narrative. The BFG is a dream collector, able to capture and distribute dreams to children while they sleep, which underscores the novel’s emphasis on the importance of imagination in creating a better world.
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl Sophie’s adventures with the BFG demonstrate how imagination can open up new worlds and help people overcome challenges. The imaginative nature of the characters and the fantastical elements of the story invite readers to believe in the impossible, fostering a sense of wonder and creativity.
Read more
5 Good vs. Evil: The conflict between the good and evil giants represents a classic battle between right and wrong. The BFG and Sophie are the symbols of goodness, fighting against the evil giants who prey on innocent children.
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl This theme is reinforced by the way the BFG refuses to partake in the giants’ evil ways, instead working to stop them. The ultimate triumph of the BFG and Sophie over the evil giants reinforces the idea that good will prevail over evil when people work together and use their unique strengths to fight injustice.
6 Belonging and Identity: Sophie’s journey in the novel is also about finding a sense of belonging and identity. As an orphan, Sophie feels isolated at the beginning of the story, but her relationship with the BFG provides her with a sense of purpose and belonging. She is no longer alone in the world; she has found a friend who understands her.
The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl The BFG, too, struggles with his identity. He is different from the other giants, and this difference leads him to be an outcast. However, by the end of the story, the BFG finds his place in society, gaining recognition for his heroism and kindness.
7 Bravery and Standing Up for Others: The BFG Summary And Themes By Roald Dahl Another important theme in the book is the idea of standing up for others, especially those who cannot protect themselves. Sophie takes a stand against the giants’ cruelty by helping the BFG stop their evil deeds.
The book encourages readers to be brave in standing up for those who are vulnerable and unable to fight for themselves. The courage displayed by Sophie and the BFG exemplifies the idea that even one person (or one giant) can make a big difference in the world.
Read more
(FAQ)
1 What is The BFG about?
The BFG is a children’s book by Roald Dahl about a young orphan girl named Sophie who befriends a kind, gentle giant. Together, they work to stop the evil giants from terrorizing the world by eating human children. The story explores themes of friendship, kindness, courage, and the power of imagination.
2 Who are the main characters in The BFG?
The main characters in The BFG are Sophie, a brave and clever young orphan, and the Big Friendly Giant (BFG), a kind-hearted giant who collects dreams and refuses to eat human children. Other important characters include the evil giants who are much larger and more fearsome than the BFG.
3 What is the BFG’s role in the story?
The BFG is a dream collector who travels through the world at night to give good dreams to children while they sleep. He is different from the other giants, who eat human children, and spends much of the story working with Sophie to stop the evil giants and protect children from harm.
4 What is the relationship between Sophie and the BFG?
Sophie and the BFG develop a close friendship throughout the novel. Sophie is initially scared when she is taken to Giant Country, but she quickly realizes that the BFG is kind and gentle. Their friendship is built on mutual trust and support, and they work together to defeat the evil giants.
5 How does the BFG differ from the other giants?
The BFG is different from the other giants because he is kind and compassionate. While the other giants are cruel and enjoy eating human children, the BFG does not harm anyone and only seeks to protect the innocent. He is also smaller and less fearsome than the other giants, making him an outcast in Giant Country.
6 What is the significance of dreams in The BFG?
Dreams play a central role in the story, as the BFG collects and distributes dreams to children while they sleep. The BFG’s job as a dream collector symbolizes the power of imagination and the potential for dreams to inspire and comfort. Throughout the story, the idea of dreams also serves as a metaphor for hope, creativity, and the possibility of a better world.
7 What is the theme of friendship in The BFG?
Friendship is one of the central themes of the book. Sophie and the BFG form a strong bond based on mutual trust, kindness, and support. Their friendship helps them overcome their fears and face challenges together. The novel highlights the importance of companionship, understanding, and standing by those who need help.
8 How does the novel end?
At the end of The BFG, the evil giants are captured and imprisoned, and Sophie and the BFG are celebrated as heroes. Sophie is adopted by the Queen of England and given a new home, while the BFG gains recognition for his goodness and bravery. The story ends with Sophie and the BFG continuing their special friendship, with the BFG no longer an outcast but a beloved figure in society.
Read more
