“Coraline” is considered a timeless novella because of the vague narrative that has been employed by the author to great effect. Very little information regarding the location and the setting has been provided in the novella. However, from what we can gather regarding Neil Gaiman’s own life and the happenings in the novel, we can conclude that some parts are autobiographical and certain elements of the novella are inspired by different periods of British history.
Historical Context
There is not much information in the novel that suggests the time period that “Coraline” is supposed to be set in. Published at the turn of the millennium, one would assume that it is set in the present day. However, the novella has a vague and mysterious atmosphere to it as well as an obscure geographical setting, both of which serve to make it timeless and ageless.
There are, however, a few instances in the novel from which we can glean out the historical context. Coraline’s father once mentions a visit to London, so we know for sure that the novella is set somewhere in England and in real life (not a fantasy world). However, several words in the novella point towards various historical periods. For instance, the Other Mother is also referred to as the “beldam,” a Late Middle English word. The ghost children that Coraline encounters in the other universe also come from varying periods of time. For instance, the young boy is described as wearing velvet-trimmed breaches, which suggests that he comes from an upper-class family from the 17th and 18th centuries. The young girl, on the other hand, is dressed in peasant clothing and uses words such as “thou” and “doth.” This suggests that the girl belongs to an archaic period of British history and hails from a working-class background.
Neil Gaiman’s Background
Born to a father who was the head of the Church of Scientology in the UK, Neil Gaiman moved from school to school when he was young. He has described himself as a “feral child who was raised in libraries” because of the controversial practices of the church. However, Gaiman has clarified that he did not identify as a Scientologist like the rest of his family.
Neil Gaiman began his writing career in the 1980s. He first worked as a journalist as well as a biographer, during which time he produced books about Douglas Adams (most famous for the book, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy“) as well as the popular band Duran Duran.
However, Gaiman’s breakthrough came with the comic book series, “The Sandman“, which was published by DC Comics in the early 1990s. As “The Sandman” became famous worldwide, Gaiman began to write several other works that became instantly popular. It was during this time that he began writing “Coraline.”
Several aspects of his own life have inspired “Coraline.” For instance, the setting of the novella is inspired by Gaiman’s own flat from 1987. This was a large Manor house that was divided up into smaller apartments, a concept similar to the apartment in which Coraline and her parents move into at the beginning of the novella. The huge door in Coraline’s drawing room which opened onto a solid brick wall has been inspired by a similar door that Gaiman saw in an old and large house he grew up in. Gaiman mentions that he spent a lot of time imagining that the oak-paneled door in his house would one day open onto a corridor instead of a brick wall – a concept that has been reflected in Coraline. Coraline’s use of the word “recipes” for her father’s adventurous meals has been inspired by Gaiman’s son, Michael, who used to refer to Gaiman’s culinary efforts as “recipes.”
Critical Reception
Neil Gaiman began writing “Coraline” almost a decade before it was published. In 1990, he decided that he wanted to write a story for his daughter, Holly, who was 5 years old at the time. However, several other projects took the forefront and Gaiman put “Coraline” on the back burner. Finally, in 2002, the work was completed and it was published by Bloomsbury and HarperCollins to great critical acclaim.
“Coraline” became an instant hit. It was awarded the 2003 Hugo Award for Best Novella as well as the 2003 Nebula Award for Best Novella. It was also ranked #82 on The Guardian’s list of the hundred best books of the 21st century.
Literary Context
Neil Gaiman has been influenced by a host of other writers in his writing career. This includes:
- Roger Zelazny
- C.S. Lewis
- J.R.R. Tolkien
- Mary Shelley
- Lewis Carroll
- Rudyard Kipling
- Dave Sim
- Edgar Allan Poe
- Michael Moorcock
- Steve Ditko
- Alan Moore
- Will Eisner
- Harlan Ellison
- Ursula K. Le Guin
- Lord Dunsany
- G.K Chesterton
- Angela Carter
- R. A Lafferty
- Samuel R. Delany
Gaiman has also been inspired to write comedically by “Monty Python’s Big Red Book” and visually by the French comic, “Metal Hurlant.” “Coraline” also incorporates several of his literary influences. For instance, the plot of “Coraline” has parallels with Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” While Alice falls down a rabbit hole into an entirely different universe and meets the murderous Queen of Hearts, Coraline goes through a corridor to meet the wicked Other Mother.
Similarly, scholars have compared “Coraline” to a short story by Angela Carter called ‘The Erl King,’ a story that was published in the collection, “The Bloody Chamber.” In this story, a young heroine is forced into an adventure where she has to rescue a bunch of caged birds from a mysterious and shadowy figure in a forest. The birds, who were initially girls, are similar to the souls of the ghost children in “Coraline.”
Parallels have also been drawn between Shirley Jackson’s “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Coraline.” Just like the house in “The Haunting of Hill House” constantly molds itself around its inhabitants, the other universe in “Coraline” keeps shifting in nature the longer Coraline stays in it. The novella also seems to be inspired by Sigmund Freud’s concept of the uncanny, or the “Unheimlich,” which expounds the psychological experience that comes with something eerily familiar when set in a different context.
Finally, “Coraline” has been inspired by Lucy Clifford’s short story, “The New Mother,” which pits two opposing worlds against each other. The two worlds in “The New Mother” include that of the “real” mother where there is order and structure, as well as that of the “new” mother, where there is disorder and chaos – a concept that is reflected in “Coraline” as well.
Cultural Context
In “Coraline,” cultural norms and values reflect a blend of contemporary and traditional British culture. Coraline’s family exhibits a modern, somewhat detached parenting style; her parents are busy with work, leaving Coraline to entertain herself. This highlights the late 20th-century trend of dual-income households and the resultant shift in family dynamics. This modern setting contrasts sharply with the archaic and eerie other world, creating a rich backdrop for the story’s themes.
The novella critiques contemporary culture by showcasing Coraline’s boredom and neglect, a subtle nod to the societal neglect of childhood wonder and adventure in favor of technology and busy lifestyles. Coraline’s parents’ preoccupation with work and their failure to notice their daughter’s loneliness reflect a critique of the modern work-life balance. The other world, with its sinister perfection, represents the dangers of escapism and the allure of seemingly perfect alternatives to real life.
“Coraline” is influenced by cultural movements emphasizing children’s independence and the rediscovery of fairy tales with dark, moralistic undertones. The book echoes the late 20th-century trend of revisiting traditional folklore in literature, emphasizing the importance of bravery, self-reliance, and the value of the imperfect, real world rather than idealized illusions. This cultural critique and reinforcement of traditional values underscore the novel’s timeless appeal and relevance.
Modern Relevance
Set in the period when the world was experiencing a major shift towards a technology-driven lifestyle, “Coraline” cleverly addresses contemporary issues such as parental neglect, the allure of escapism, and the quest for identity. The themes of bravery and self-reliance remain ever-pertinent as children now navigate an increasingly complex and digital environment. Coraline’s struggle for attention from her busy parents mirrors the modern challenge of maintaining a work-life balance, while the sinister Other World warns against the dangers of seeking perfection through virtual realities.
The book’s ongoing significance is evident in its enduring popularity and various adaptations. The 2009 animated film brought Coraline’s story to a broader audience, emphasizing its relevance through visual storytelling. The novel has also inspired stage productions and graphic novels, each reinterpretation reinforcing its timeless message. “Coraline” continues to captivate and caution at the same time, serving as a modern fairy tale that addresses universal fears and the importance of courage and authenticity in an ever-changing world.
