I think that Rollo at Play (and possibly other stories in the Rollo series) center around the binary of right versus wrong. This is very different from the binary of good versus bad in the sense that the right/wrong concept stems from duty, whereas good/bad can be more metaphysical or spiritual; or otherwise less connected to direct action and penitence for action. Examples of the right versus wrong binary are seen when Jonas talks to Rollo and James about their conflict with the wigwam (page 24). Jonas tells each child why they are wrong and why they are right. At first, when Jonas seems to agree with Rollo, he looked “pleased and triumphant”. This is because being right/ behaving correctly is usually associated with winning and rewards.

We also see this binary being used when Rollo’s mother tells him that he cannot go outside to play with Jonas because he has not done his reading (page 10). This is wrong. Because of this, he is punished. Rollo’s penitence for his actions is seen when he reads more than he was told in order to apologize for his actions and be rewarded.

I think that emphasizing the idea of right and wrong is important for a text like the Rollo series. This is because the series serves as a teaching guide for parents and also children. Abbot thought good parenting involved rewarding right behavior and punishing wrong behavior. Also, a child can learn from the text by understanding what behavior is acceptable and what is not.