Dando from The Red Pencil: The Quiet Strength Behind Amira’s Journey
In The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney, readers follow Amira, a twelve-year-old girl from Darfur whose life changes forever after violence sweeps through her village. While Amira’s story is the heart of the novel, her father, Dando, is the quiet foundation beneath it. He doesn’t dominate the plot or solve the central conflict — yet his steady love, small rituals, and gentle teachings are the framework that holds Amira together in the hardest moments of her life.
Who Is Dando?
Basic facts: father, farmer, playmate
Dando is Amira’s father — a hardworking farmer with an imaginative streak. He’s more than a provider; he’s a playmate, a teacher, and a dream-builder. Whether working in the fields or playing games, Dando weaves learning and joy into the daily rhythm of life.
His place in Amira’s world
In a family and community where not everyone supports girls’ education, Dando stands out as a believer in Amira’s potential. His quiet confidence in her future gives her a sense of worth that will later help her face unimaginable loss.
Dando and Amira: A Father–Daughter Bond
The game “What Else Is Possible?”
One of Dando’s signature contributions is a simple question: “What else is possible?” It’s more than a game — it’s a way of thinking. Instead of letting fear take root, he teaches Amira to look for new solutions and fresh ideas, planting the seeds of resilience early in her life.
Small rituals that build confidence
From giving her a twig to draw in the sand to sharing evening conversations, Dando fills their days with small but powerful rituals. These moments strengthen Amira’s confidence and nurture her creative spirit.
Dando the Teacher: Practical Lessons, Big Heart
Reading, arithmetic, and the onion-and-stone method
Dando’s teaching style is simple and hands-on. Using objects from everyday life — like onions and stones — he shows Amira how to count, add, and subtract. Learning becomes a natural extension of living, not something distant or unreachable.
How hands-on teaching shapes identity
When education is woven into daily activities, it becomes part of a child’s identity. Dando’s methods send a powerful message: learning is not only possible, it’s valuable, and it belongs to everyone.
Dando’s Values: Support for Education and Possibility
How Dando contrasts with other adults in the book
In contrast to those who cling to traditional roles for girls, Dando quietly expands the boundaries. He doesn’t make speeches or wage public battles — he simply invests in his daughter’s future, making possibility feel like a natural birthright.
The Turning Point: Dando’s Death and Its Impact
Immediate emotional fallout for Amira
Dando’s death during an attack by armed militias shatters Amira’s world. His absence leaves a gaping hole in her emotional life, silencing her voice and shaking her sense of safety.
Narrative consequences — fleeing to a camp
After losing Dando, Amira and her family are forced to flee their home, eventually arriving in a refugee camp. The shift from the comfort of home to the harsh reality of camp life marks a deep emotional and physical transformation in her journey.
Symbolic Role: What Dando Represents
Hope, imagination, a moral compass
Dando is more than a father — he’s a living symbol of hope and moral guidance. His question, “What else is possible?” echoes through the story, reminding readers that hope often begins with the way we frame our challenges.
Why his absence is thematically powerful
By removing Dando from the story early, the author deepens the emotional stakes. Amira’s memories of his teachings become a source of strength, showing how love and lessons can outlast a life.
How Dando Shapes Amira’s Art and Voice
From sand drawings to the red pencil
The twig Dando gives Amira to draw in the sand is her first creative tool. Later, the red pencil becomes a symbol of self-expression and healing — a direct continuation of the creative path Dando set in motion.
The long shadow of a supportive parent
Even after he’s gone, Dando’s influence is felt in Amira’s persistence and creativity. The lessons he taught shape the way she sees herself and the world.
Literary Techniques Used to Portray Dando
Verse, imagery, and subtlety
The story is told in free verse, allowing moments with Dando to shine through vivid images and emotional precision. Each scene is a brushstroke that builds a portrait of a man whose influence is gentle but lasting.
Dialogues and small scenes that reveal character
Rather than describing Dando in long paragraphs, the author lets us see him through actions and conversations. A playful challenge, a teaching moment, a shared laugh — these small pieces create a complete, believable character.
Classroom and Book-Club Uses: Teaching Through Dando
Discussion prompts and writing activities
Dando’s role can spark deep discussions: “How does encouragement shape a person’s future?” or “What’s a small gesture that had a big impact on your life?” Students can also write poems from Dando’s perspective or create art inspired by the “What else is possible?” question.
Cross-curricular links (history, art, empathy)
His story connects to history lessons on Darfur, art projects exploring symbolism, and empathy-building activities focused on understanding refugee experiences.
Modern Relevance: Why Dando Matters Today
Allies in difficult contexts
In real life, as in the novel, allies who encourage education — especially in challenging circumstances — make a tremendous difference. Dando’s role mirrors that of parents, teachers, and mentors who champion possibility.
Parenting, mentorship, and resilience
Dando’s quiet example shows that good mentorship doesn’t have to be grand. Consistency, creativity, and belief in someone’s potential can be life-changing.
Critiques and Alternate Readings
Is Dando idealized?
Some might see Dando as almost too perfect. But in a story centered on trauma, his goodness serves as a vital counterbalance, showing what’s at stake when kindness is lost.
What a critical lens reveals
Examining Dando’s role through a cultural lens can reveal deeper questions about gender, tradition, and change. His support challenges norms, making him a subtle force for progress.
Conclusion: The Quiet Architecture of Influence
Dando may not be the protagonist, but his presence shapes every step of Amira’s journey. Through his lessons, games, and unwavering belief in her, he equips her with the tools she needs to survive, adapt, and reclaim her voice. He reminds us that sometimes the strongest foundations are built not with grand gestures, but with quiet, consistent acts of love.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is Dando in The Red Pencil?
Dando is Amira’s father — a farmer, teacher, and supporter of her education and imagination.
Q2: Does Dando die in the story?
Yes. His death during a militia attack is a turning point in Amira’s life.
Q3: How does Dando influence Amira’s education?
He teaches her basic literacy and math through hands-on, practical methods.
Q4: What is the “What Else Is Possible?” game?
It’s a question Dando uses to inspire creative thinking and problem-solving.
Q5: How does the red pencil connect to Dando?
The red pencil continues the creative journey that began when Dando gave Amira a twig to draw in the sand.
Q6: Is Dando portrayed as a perfect parent?
He is depicted as a consistently positive figure, which serves the novel’s themes.
Q7: Can Dando’s character be used in classroom discussions?
Yes — he’s ideal for exploring themes of mentorship, resilience, and education.
Q8: What themes does Dando help highlight?
He embodies hope, imagination, possibility, and the importance of supportive adults.
Q9: Is The Red Pencil written in verse?
Yes. The free verse style gives emotional depth to Dando’s scenes.
Q10: Why focus on Dando instead of just Amira?
Because his influence is a key part of her resilience and creativity, making him central to understanding the story’s message.
