Consider Dahl’s representation of the girl’s treatment at the hands of adults. Why does the protagonist/narrator get so angry and hurt when the adults around her do not take her seriously? What is Dahl saying about this relationship dynamic?

Discuss the magic finger and its role in the thematic meanings of the story. Why does the magic finger rely on powerful emotions to work? How might thoughts and emotions become a source of power in the real world?

This story explores the lives of two families, the Greggs and the ducks, and considers how they intersect. How are the two families different? Are there aspects of the families that mirror each other?