Introduction
Survival against all odds is a theme that resonates deeply in literature, and Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH exemplifies this struggle poignantly. This essay will analyze the various means of survival employed by Mrs. Frisby and the rats as portrayed in Robert C. O’Brien’s award-winning children’s novel. It will examine the tactics and mentality that enable Mrs. Frisby and the rats to overcome adversity and threatenings in their bid for survival. By evaluating the coping strategies, resourcefulness, perseverance and communitarian ethos of the rats and mice in face of existential threat, this essay aims to demonstrate how determination and ingenuity can lead to triumph even under the most challenging circumstances. The lessons on survival from O’Brien’s anthropomorphic animal story continue to inspire readers decades after its publication.
Background: A Tale of Survival
Robert C. O'Brien's Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH was published in 1971 and awarded the 1972 Newbery Medal. The novel follows the plight of a widowed field mouse, Mrs. Frisby, as she struggles to move her family to safety while evading predators such as cats and owls. She encounters a community of escaped lab rats who through scientific experimentation have become highly intelligent. Together, Mrs. Frisby and the rats are able to surmount adversity using creativity, courage, and cooperation. The story became an animated film in 1982 and continues to captivate audiences with its messages about bravery, ethics, and sacrifice in the face of hardship.
Strategic Thinking: The Power of Intellect
A primary survival technique employed by Mrs. Frisby and the rats is reliance on their sharp wits and powers of strategic thinking. For instance, Mrs. Frisby is warned by the owl Justin that her family's home will be destroyed by the farmer's plow. She immediately begins planning an escape, studying building materials to construct a new winter house and even considering unorthodox ideas like utilizing a birdcage for transport. The rats too survived lab experiments by their intellect - memorizing maze layouts, decoding electronic locks, and reading books to understand their condition. Brute strength alone could not preserve these animals, rather it was mental fortitude, creativity and logic that enabled their perseverance. As Justin states, "We did not fight our way out...we thought our way out."
The Role of Community and Ethics
Beyond ingenuity, Mrs. Frisby and the rats demonstrate communal support and ethics to be equally essential for survival. Though timid, Mrs. Frisby overcomes her fears to seek help from the rats in moving her home. She risks her own safety for the wellbeing of her family. The rats in turn agree to assist Mrs. Frisby because, as Nicodemus says, "We can afford to help you," despite the danger. Together, they exemplify self-sacrifice and service to others as crucial means of getting through crises. Even the villainous Jenner is made more complex by debates over moral responsibility towards fellow rats. Ultimately the story underlines interdependence and compassion as indispensable for survival, along with courage and wisdom.
Chance versus Agency
Some may argue that the survival of Mrs. Frisby and the rats depends more on chance occurrences and external factors like the farmer's plow schedule or Dragon the cat's injuries rather than their own agency. However, it is their readiness to take advantage of chances and cope with unpredictable circumstances that enables their success. The rats particularly use their enhanced intellect to prepare for multiple scenarios - they train in combat, emergency first aid, machinery, and outdoors skills in order to be self-reliant. Additionally, the protagonists cultivate relationships and goodwill with potential allies like the owl Justin and Crow children to expand their support systems. So while chance events do play a role, preparedness, foresight and community remain central to overcoming obstacles.
Conclusion
Through examining the trials and triumphs of a humble field mouse and escaped lab rats, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH reveals profound insights on fighting overwhelming adversity. The story emphasizes resourcefulness, communal bonds, moral courage and mental acuity as critical means of survival, overcoming formidable threats through wits, grit and compassion. The spirit embodied by Mrs. Frisby and her rat allies - to face difficulty with creativity, ethics and solidarity - continues to inspire and guide generations confronting their own survival challenges.
