THE LION KING

• by Walt Disney
• Mrs. Crowder

CONNECTION TO HATCHET

• Both stories involve surviving in the wild.
• Both protagonists overcome external conflicts.
• Both protagonists overcome internal conflicts.
• Both protagonists begin the story childish and naive.
• Both protagonists grow into mature characters.

SETTING

• Place: Pride Land and jungles of Africa
• Time: mid-1990's
• Impact on story: the kingdom has disintegrated under a false, evil king.
• The protagonist attempts to restore it.

MAJOR CHARACTER: SIMBA

• the orphaned cub heir to the throne with an evil, power hungry uncle
• abandons his kingdom to live a carefree life in the jungle
• grows into a responsible lion who returns to battle for his rightful throne
• establishes himself on the throne and restores the Pride Land

MAJOR CHARACTER: MUFASA

• king of the Pride Lands
• killed by his evil brother
• spiritually guides his son, the prince

MAJOR CHARACTER: SCAR

• evil, power hungry uncle
• allows King Mufasa to die
• ruthlessly rules the kingdom, causing it to fall
• battles his nephew to keep control

MINOR CHARACTERS: PUMBAA AND TIMON

• befriends young Simba in the jungle
• encourage Simba to enjoy a carefree lifestyle

MINOR CHARACTER: NALA

• Simba's young female cub friend
• as young adult, convinces Simba to return to claim throne
• falls in love with Simba and becomes queen

ANTAGONISTS:

• Scar
• Animals of Pride Land

PROTAGONIST:

• Simba

EXTERNAL CONFLICT:

• Simba battles Scar to regain control of the Pride Land.
• Simba battles other elements of the environment: hyenas, stampeding herds.
• Simba must restore the beauty of the Pride Land decimated by a ruthless, selfish leader.

INTERNAL CONFLICT:

• Simba deals with the guilt of his father's death.
• Simba is torn about returning to reclaim his throne.

PLOT

EXPOSITION:

• Simba's father is killed and Scar takes the throne.

RISING ACTION:

• Simba's guilt forces him to escape to the jungle.
• Simba befriends Pumbaa and Timon and embraces their carefree lifestyle.
• Nala challenges Simba to return to restore the kingdom.
• Simba returns to the decimated Pride Land and confronts Scar.

CLIMAX:

• Simba and Scar battle in a life-or-death struggle for control of the kingdom.

FALLING ACTION:

• Simba kills Scar.
• Simba restores the Pride Land by coming to the throne.

RESOLUTION:

• Simba and Nala give birth to a new prince.