Asterix the Gaul, published in French in 1959, is the first volume of the Asterix series written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. This graphic novel features Asterix and his friends as they put potions, tricks and everything up their sleeves to use to defend the last standing Gaul from Roman invasion. 

In the book, Crismus Bonus exhibits a number of negative personal traits. What sort of character in life do you think he represents, and how is ignorance portrayed in his plans and lies? 

All the characters exhibit varied characteristics which leads them to react very differently to the events in the story. Who do you like and dislike the most, and why? Do you feel ambivalent about any character in the story? In what ways are the impressions given out by the Romans and Gauls different? Which community do you like more, and why is that so? What are some of the things we should adopt and learn from these two communities? 

Getafix is pictured as the ‘hero’ in the story while Caligula Minus is said to represent tragic characters in life. Do you agree? How do their experiences, personalities and choices play a role in shaping their drastically different fates?