English · Class 12 · Narratives of Identity and Change · Term 1

Should Wizard Hit Mommy?: Moral Relativism

Discussing the concept of moral relativism through the differing perspectives of parent and child.

• CBSE Learning Outcomes
• CBSE: Vistas - Should Wizard Hit Mommy? - Class 12

About This Topic

In 'Should Wizard Hit Mommy?' by John Updike, students examine moral relativism through the perspectives of four-year-old Jo and her mother. Jo objects when the mother in Roger Skunk's story insists the wizard restore the skunk's original smell, prioritising societal acceptance over personal happiness. This CBSE Class 12 Vistas lesson from Narratives of Identity and Change encourages students to justify the mother's actions based on parental duties and norms, while questioning if a single 'right' answer exists to the dilemma.

The topic develops skills in literary analysis, empathy, and ethical reasoning, aligning with board exam requirements for critical evaluation of character motivations. Students predict Jo's evolving morality as she matures, connecting the story to real-life family conflicts and cultural expectations in India. Such exploration highlights how identity shapes judgements, preparing students for nuanced discussions in essays and vivas.

Active learning benefits this topic greatly, as debates and role-plays allow students to inhabit opposing views, transforming passive reading into dynamic empathy-building experiences that deepen understanding and retention.

Key Questions

1. Justify the mother's actions from her perspective, considering societal norms and parental roles.
2. Evaluate whether there is a 'right' answer to the moral dilemma presented in the story.
3. Predict how Jo's understanding of morality might evolve as she grows older.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the mother's actions in 'Should Wizard Hit Mommy?' by identifying the societal norms and parental responsibilities influencing her perspective.
• Evaluate the moral dilemma presented in the story by comparing Jo's and her mother's viewpoints on happiness versus societal acceptance.
• Critique the concept of moral relativism by determining whether a universally 'correct' moral decision exists within the narrative.
• Predict the long-term impact of Jo's evolving understanding of morality on her future relationships and decision-making processes.
• Synthesize the story's themes with real-world scenarios of parental guidance and child development.

Before You Start

Character Analysis and Motivation

Why: Students need to be able to identify and explain the reasons behind characters' actions to understand the differing perspectives in the story.

Understanding Narrative Perspective

Why: Comprehending how a story is told from different viewpoints is crucial for grasping the core conflict between Jo and her mother.

Key Vocabulary

Moral Relativism	The philosophical idea that moral judgments are true or false only relative to some particular standpoint (for instance, that of a culture or a historical period) and that no standpoint is uniquely privileged over all others.
Societal Norms	Expected standards of behaviour and beliefs established by a society or group, influencing individual actions and judgments.
Parental Role	The set of responsibilities, duties, and expectations associated with raising and guiding a child, often encompassing protection, education, and moral development.
Ethical Dilemma	A situation where an individual must choose between two or more conflicting moral principles or values, with no clear 'right' or 'wrong' option.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Morality has one absolute right answer, like the mother always being correct.

What to Teach Instead

The story illustrates context-dependent ethics; role-plays help students switch perspectives, revealing no universal 'right' and reducing black-and-white thinking through peer challenges.

Common Misconception

Jo's protest shows immaturity, with no value in questioning parents.

What to Teach Instead

Questioning fosters growth, as predicted in her future; group debates validate Jo's view, helping students appreciate evolving morality via shared stories from their lives.

Common Misconception

The wizard's magic solves moral issues permanently.

What to Teach Instead

Magic underscores temporary fixes; chart activities expose ongoing tensions, with active mapping clarifying relativism over simplistic resolutions.

Active Learning Ideas

Role-Play Debate: Jo vs Mother

Assign pairs one as Jo and one as mother; they prepare arguments for 10 minutes using story evidence, then debate for 15 minutes with class as judges voting on persuasiveness. Debrief with reflections on relativism. Follow with whole-class synthesis.

40 min·Pairs

Perspective Chart: Group Mapping

In small groups, students create a T-chart listing pros and cons of mother's and Jo's views with textual quotes. Groups present charts, then merge into a class mind map. End with personal stance statements.

45 min·Small Groups

Future Prediction Carousel: Jo's Growth

Individuals write predictions on sticky notes about Jo's morality at age 12; post on stations around room. Small groups rotate, adding responses and evidence from story. Conclude with whole-class vote on most likely evolution.

35 min·Individual

Jigsaw: Ethics Lenses

Divide class into expert groups on cultural norms, parental roles, child autonomy, and relativism; each researches via story and notes. Regroup to teach peers, building a class ethical framework.

50 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• In family law, judges often grapple with moral relativism when deciding custody cases, weighing the 'best interests of the child' against varying cultural practices or parental beliefs, such as in disputes over religious upbringing or disciplinary methods.
• Child psychologists, like those at the National Institute of Mental Health, study how children develop their moral compass, observing how early experiences with parental guidance and peer interactions shape their understanding of right and wrong, influencing their future choices in school and social settings.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Divide students into small groups. Pose the question: 'If you were Jo's mother, would you have insisted the wizard restore Roger Skunk's original smell? Explain your reasoning, referencing at least one societal expectation or parental duty you considered.' Allow groups 10 minutes to discuss before sharing key points with the class.

Exit Ticket

On a small slip of paper, ask students to write: 1. One reason the mother's action could be considered morally justifiable. 2. One reason Jo's objection could be considered morally valid. 3. A single word that best describes the central conflict of the story.

Quick Check

Present students with a hypothetical scenario similar to the story's dilemma (e.g., a child wants a toy that is deemed 'inappropriate' by the school). Ask students to write down one argument from the 'parent's perspective' and one from the 'child's perspective' in their notebooks. Review a few responses aloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to teach moral relativism in Should Wizard Hit Mommy for CBSE Class 12?

Start with paired retells from Jo's and mother's views, using story quotes. Move to debates justifying actions against societal norms. Conclude with essays evaluating if a 'right' answer exists. This builds empathy and analysis for exams, connecting to Indian family dynamics.

What are key themes in Should Wizard Hit Mommy?

Central themes include moral relativism, parent-child conflicts, and identity through change. Students explore how norms clash with desires, predicting Jo's growth. Link to CBSE standards by analysing narrative techniques like storytelling within stories for deeper insights.

How can active learning help students understand moral relativism here?

Role-plays and perspective charts let students embody Jo and the mother, experiencing viewpoint shifts firsthand. Carousel predictions engage prediction skills, while jigsaws integrate ethics lenses collaboratively. These methods make abstract relativism tangible, boosting retention and critical discussions over lectures.

Best activities for Should Wizard Hit Mommy in Class 12 English?

Use role-play debates for empathy, group charts for evidence mapping, and prediction carousels for forecasting growth. Jigsaw ethics adds depth. Each ties to key questions, with durations fitting 40-minute periods, promoting CBSE skills like justification and evaluation.