Fear is the most prominent motif in the novel and is used to support the theme of The Nature of Tyranny and Heroism. Fear is present from the very first pages of the novel, as Mr. Ocax is introduced amid a distinctly menacing atmosphere. Fear is used as a motif to establish his role as tyrant within the Dimwood Forest: “[Mice] were the best eating, to be sure, but better still, they were the most fearful, and Mr. Ocax found deep satisfaction in having others afraid of him” (2, emphasis added). However, while fear begins as something transmitted from Mr. Ocax to the mice, Avi uses fear as a motif in Mr. Ocax’s perspective to suggest that the nature of tyranny involves using fear as a tool of control. 

Mr. Ocax is also motivated by fear, as revealed in Chapter 6, when Poppy detects uncertainty in his voice after Lungwort mentions New House (49). In Chapter 10, the author uses Mr. Ocax’s perspective to explore the fear that dominates him: “No matter what, his fearfulness must never be known!” (78). Fear has been a prominent motif for Poppy and the mice up until this point; Poppy’s primary character arc is about overcoming fear.