A Royal Conundrum

Fiction | Graphic Novel/Book | Middle Grade | Published in 2024

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-10

Chapters 11-21

Chapters 22-32

Chapter 33-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Cats and Mice

In the world of the novel, cats and mice represent The Search for Identity and Belonging and The Deceptive Nature of Appearances. These symbols are particularly significant in relation to Olive, her grandmother Mimi, and Auntie Winnie. Olive’s connection to mice is rooted in her childhood memories of Mimi, who collects ceramic mice. One particular figurine stands out to Olive: “the tiny mouse with a feather pen” (91) and a chip on its ear. When Olive points out this imperfection, Mimi corrects her, saying, “She’s not broken—she’s unique! […] Perfection is boring. Flaws are interesting” (91). This moment reinforces the idea that identity is shaped not by external perceptions but by the unique traits and so-called flaws that make someone truly themselves. The image of the chipped mouse therefore reflects Olive’s own self-doubt; when she is amongst the Misfits, she initially feels like an outsider, unsure of her worth. However, as she grows, she realizes that her individuality and resourcefulness are strengths, not weaknesses.

The contrast between cats and mice also represents the dynamic between Auntie Winnie and Mimi, the proverbial Cat and Mouse. On the surface, Auntie Winnie appears to be a harmless, kind, elderly woman, but she is really a legendary master thief. Likewise, Mimi, Olive’s loving grandmother, has a secret life as a retired NOCK operative. Their decades-long rivalry mirrors their symbolic roles; Winnie, the cunning predator, thrives in deception and isolation, while, Mimi, the underestimated but intelligent mouse, finds strength in connection and family and in her work with NOCK. Ultimately, the cat-and-mouse symbolism underscores the novel’s message that true identity is comprised of one’s choices and companions.

RASCH

RASCH is a central symbol of The Search for Identity and Belonging in The Royal Conundrum, and the school also reinforces The Deceptive Nature of Appearances. To the outside world, RASCH appears to be a simple boarding school, yet beneath its surface, it is an elite training ground for young operatives. This dual identity mirrors Olive’s journey as she struggles to understand where she belongs and works to realize her true capabilities. At the novel’s beginning, Olive feels out of place, believing that she lacks the caliber of skills that makes her teammates unique. However, as she trains at RASCH, she begins to recognize her own strengths, such as her observational skills and quick thinking. The school becomes a place where she can redefine herself, proving that identity is shaped through experience and growth. RASCH, like Olive, is more than it appears to be, and its secrets demonstrate that institutions and individuals alike can hold hidden depths.

Additionally, RASCH challenges traditional ideas of belonging. Unlike conventional schools, which expect students to conform, RASCH thrives on individuality. Although the Misfits are initially uncertain about their roles, they gradually learn that their unique abilities make them valuable, and this transformation suggests that true belonging comes from the acceptance of individual differences rather than from the compulsion to conform.

Get access to this full Study Guide and much more!

9,150+ In-Depth Study Guides
4,650+ Quick-Read Plot Summaries
Downloadable PDFs

RASCH’s structure also reinforces The Deceptive Nature of Appearances, for the school’s hidden purpose reflects the larger world of espionage, where nothing is as it seems. Teachers like Modest and Monica, who appear to be mere instructors, are actually highly skilled operatives, and the dean is secretly the head of NOCK. Likewise, although NOCK operatives are deployed all over the campus, few of them know of each other’s existence. Even the students learn to utilize deceptive tactics to blur the line between their public and private identities. Ultimately, RASCH teaches Olive and the Misfits that understanding one’s identity means looking beyond appearances and embracing both strengths and imperfections.

Meggie and Her Fun Family

The comic book series titled Meggie & Her Fun Family symbolizes The Search for Identity and Belonging and The Importance of Teamwork and Friendship, for it represents the supportive and loving family that Phil and Olive both long to find. The comic series also acts as a shared interest that strengthens the two friends’ bond and eventually unites the entire Misfits team. For Phil, Meggie & Her Fun Family is an escape from the pressures of her demanding home life. She struggles with her parents’ high expectations and often feels overlooked. As Olive observes, “Phil’s parents checked in on a regular basis, but only to ask about her grades” (100). The comic’s portrayal of a quirky, affectionate family therefore provides Phil with an idealized version of family members who accept each other’s differences and support each another unconditionally.

Similarly, Olive, who often feels disconnected from her own family due to their secrecy and absence, finds comfort in Meggie’s world, daydreaming of “uproarious family adventures by day and home-cooked meals every night” (6). The comic validates her longing for a world in which her family sees, hears, and values her. Through Meggie & Her Fun Family, both Phil and Olive express their hidden desires for connection and acceptance. Additionally, the comics catalyze The Importance of Teamwork and Friendship as Phil and Olive bond over their shared love of the series and admit their fears and vulnerabilities to one another. As the story progresses, their enthusiasm spreads to the rest of the Misfits, turning the comic into a unifying force. By the novel’s end, part of the team’s earnings go toward purchasing a Meggie & Her Fun Family subscription.