Some of the most popular themes that can be discerned from the novella include courage, a quest for identity, the power of imagination, self-sufficiency, good versus evil, and so on. Several important symbols can be gleaned out from “Coraline” as well, including the button eyes of the evil Other Mother, mirrors in the novella, and the key to the door in the drawing room.
Themes
Let’s explore some of the major themes in “Coraline,” which include courage, the power of imagination, self-sufficiency, good vs. evil, the deceptiveness of appearances, and family and contentment.
Courage
“Coraline” by Neil Gaiman is fundamentally a story about facing your fears. There are several times when Coraline is faced with frightening circumstances, but she braces herself to fight through it all. Coraline receives inspiration from her father about bravery, where he sacrifices himself to a bunch of wasps to help Coraline escape. Her father tells her that one can only be brave when one is scared.
“And he said that wasn’t brave of him, doing that, just standing there and being stung”, said Coraline to the cat. “It wasn’t brave because he wasn’t scared: it was the only thing he could do. But going back again to get his glasses, when he knew the wasps were there, when he was really scared. That was brave.”
Coraline to the Talking Cat, Chapter 5
The Power of Imagination
Coraline is constantly bored and looking for ways to spice up her everyday life. She often turns towards her imagination to make her life better. Once, when she was asked where she had gone, Coraline made up a story about alien abduction that is much more exciting than the mundane reality. The fact that Coraline has a vivid imagination calls the truth of her adventure into question. Did she really meet with the Other Mother in the parallel universe or was it all just her imagination?
Self-sufficiency
Despite being an 11-year-old girl, Coraline is fairly self-sufficient. Since her parents are always busy and have no time to play with her, Coraline learns to amuse herself and keep herself busy. In the absence of her parents, she is even able to sustain for 3 whole days by herself. Coraline is also capable of defeating the Other Mother through her courageous spirit and witty personality – although she is not opposed to receiving help when required.
Good vs. Evil
One of the major themes in Coraline includes the tussle between ‘good’ and ‘evil’. Coraline is constantly forced to dig deep into her morals and virtues as she comes face to face with the evil beldam. Ultimately, good trumps evil as Coraline grows drastically as an individual and discovers her true self through her adventures.
The Deceptive Nature of Appearances
The story of “Coraline“ points towards how mirrors (both literal and metaphorical mirrors) can lie to us regarding appearances. The parallel universe that Coraline visits seems exactly like her old house but new and improved in various ways. The alternate house has everything Coraline wished she had in her apartment, including exciting toys and adventurous clothes. However, Coraline soon realizes that these aspects of the parallel universe are only skin-deep. They do not hold any real value, and she begins to realize that it’s all a mere illusion.
Family and Contentment
In the beginning, Coraline is dissatisfied with her family’s lack of interest in her activities. She is constantly bored and looking for something new and exciting. After her adventure in the alternate universe, however, she comes to realize that not every family can be perfect. She begins to feel more affectionate towards her parents and accepts them for who they are.
Coraline also learns to find contentment in her everyday reality. She understands that there is magic in the mundane and the boring, and learns to appreciate what she has.
Analysis of Key Moments
- Moving into a new apartment: This marks the beginning of Coraline’s journey and sets the stage for the unfolding events. It introduces the reader to the new environment and establishes Coraline’s sense of curiosity and exploration.
- Discovering the brick wall behind the door: This moment ignites Coraline’s curiosity and hints at the mysterious and supernatural elements that will define the story. It symbolizes the boundary between Coraline’s ordinary world and the hidden realms she is about to uncover.
- Receiving the protective stone from her neighbors: This act of kindness from Miss. Forcible and Miss Spink foreshadow the dangers Coraline will face and highlight the theme of community and support amidst adversity. The stone becomes a tangible symbol of protection and serves as a source of comfort for Coraline in her perilous journey.
- Entering the parallel universe: This pivotal moment thrusts Coraline into a world that mirrors her own but holds dark secrets and dangers. It marks the transition from the mundane to the fantastical, setting the stage for Coraline’s confrontation with the Other Mother and her quest to rescue her parents.
- Discovering her parents missing: This moment escalates the stakes of Coraline’s journey, plunging her into a desperate search for her loved ones. It highlights Coraline’s courage and determination as she faces the daunting task of confronting the Other Mother to save her parents.
- Rescuing her parents and freeing the ghost children: This pivotal sequence showcases Coraline’s bravery and compassion as she navigates the treacherous Other Mother’s realm. By locating her parents trapped in a snow globe and releasing the souls of the ghost children, Coraline demonstrates her determination to save others from the clutches of the Other Mother. This moment underscores Coraline’s selflessness and sense of responsibility, as she risks her safety to rescue those she cares about and break the Other Mother’s hold on them.
- Trapping the Other Mother’s hand: This act demonstrates Coraline’s resourcefulness and ingenuity in outsmarting her adversary. It symbolizes Coraline’s defiance and refusal to succumb to the Other Mother’s threats, marking a turning point in their conflict.
- Waking up ready for school: This final moment signifies Coraline’s resilience and triumph over adversity. Despite the lingering dangers, Coraline faces the new day with determination and courage, ready to embark on a new chapter of her life. It emphasizes the theme of growth and resilience, showing Coraline’s ability to overcome challenges and emerge stronger from her experiences.
Style and Tone
Neil Gaiman is a master at crafting narratives, with his simple matter-of-fact writing, third person limited perspective, and calm and curious tone that adds depth and perspective to “Coraline.”
Simple, Matter-of-Fact Writing
The writing style of “Coraline” is simple, matter-of-fact, and child-like. The narrative, therefore, focuses on descriptions of actions and surroundings, and simply “tells it like it is.” For instance, read this quote from “Coraline“,
Coraline also explored for animals. She found a hedgehog, and a snakeskin (but no snake), and a rock that looked just like a frog, and a toad that looked just like a rock.
Neil Gaiman, Chapter 1
Neil Gaiman presents descriptions without adornment or unnecessary embellishments, allowing the narrative to progress with clarity. This style mirrors Coraline’s perspective, as a young girl who observes and interacts with her surroundings directly. For example, when Coraline explores for animals, Gaiman’s prose lists her discoveries matter-of-factly, without poetic flourishes: “She found a hedgehog, and a snakeskin (but no snake), and a rock that looked just like a frog, and a toad that looked just like a rock.” This approach engages readers, particularly younger ones, by presenting information in a clear and accessible manner.
Third-Person Limited Perspective
The story is narrated from a third-person limited perspective, focusing solely on Coraline’s experiences and observations. By limiting the viewpoint to Coraline’s perspective, readers are immersed in her world and share her discoveries and emotions. This narrative choice enhances the sense of intimacy and connection with Coraline, allowing readers to understand her thoughts and motivations more deeply. Throughout the novel, readers see the world through Coraline’s eyes, experiencing her fears, doubts, and triumphs alongside her. This narrative approach also adds suspense and tension, as readers are only privy to information that Coraline herself knows, heightening the mystery and excitement of the story.
Calm and Curious Tone
Despite the eerie and frightening events that unfold in “Coraline,” the tone remains calm and curious throughout. Gaiman’s prose maintains a level-headedness, even when describing unsettling occurrences, which helps to mitigate the potential intensity of the story for younger readers. This tone reflects Coraline’s demeanor, as she approaches her adventures with a sense of curiosity and determination. For instance, when Coraline experiences feelings of loss and failure, the narrative does not escalate into panic or despair but rather maintains a measured composure. This calm tone serves to reassure readers and encourages them to continue exploring Coraline’s world alongside her, despite the challenges she faces.
Now she felt nothing but cold loss. She had failed the ghost children. She had failed her parents. She had failed herself, failed everything. She closed her eyes and wished that the earth would swallow her up. There was a cough. She opened her eyes and saw the rat. It was lying on the brick path at the bottom of the stairs with a surprised look on its face—which was now several inches away from the rest of it.
Neil Gaiman, Chapter 10
Analysis of Symbols
Let’s take a look at some of the symbols that have been used in “Coraline,” including the sinister button eyes, mirrors, the cat, the key, and the three ghost children.
The Button Eyes
The button eyes of the Other Mother and the Other Father are the main distinguishing features between the parallel universe and the original universe. The buttons represent the inhumanness of the Other Mother and her evil nature. They prevent Coraline from understanding the Other Mother beyond a certain extent and thereby provide a more menacing air to the beldam. The buttons are also representative of the loss of virtue and morality, as Coraline is expected to sew the button eyes onto her face by the Other Mother.
Mirrors
The story of “Coraline” is a story of mirrors. When Coraline returns from the parallel universe and finds her parents missing, she discovers them trapped in the mirror. The mirror represents the parallel universe which literally mirrors Coraline’s real world. Just like appearances in a mirror are slightly different from the original, the parallel universe is also skewed in several ways.
The Cat
As a mysterious and enigmatic guide, the cat embodies Coraline’s instincts and intuition. It serves as her protector, leading her through the dangers of the Other World. The cat’s dual nature reflects Coraline’s journey, navigating between reality and fantasy, innocence and maturity.
The Key
The key to the door at the end of the corridor represents safety and freedom. Coraline and the Other Mother undergo a fierce fight for the key, with Coraline emerging victorious in the end. Coraline also cleverly ensures her safety by trapping the key itself, thereby preventing the Other Mother from getting a hold of it for the rest of her life.
The Three Ghost Children
Representing the victims of the Other Mother’s deceit, the ghost children symbolize innocence lost and the consequences of succumbing to temptation. Their presence haunts Coraline, urging her to confront the darkness within herself and the world around her, ultimately guiding her toward empathy and resilience.
Personal Perspective
In “Coraline,” themes and symbolism dance together in a macabre waltz, weaving a tapestry of childhood fears and triumphs. Through Coraline’s journey, we confront the timeless theme of courage, as she bravely faces the Other Mother and her sinister realm, embodying the resilience of the human spirit in the face of darkness. The button eyes, haunting and grotesque, serve as a chilling symbol of manipulation and loss of identity, reminding us of the dangers of succumbing to false promises and illusions.
Mirrors reflect not only Coraline’s physical surroundings but also the hidden truths and alternate realities that lurk beneath the surface. They act as portals to self-discovery and revelation, challenging Coraline to confront her fears and embrace her inner strength. Meanwhile, the key symbolizes access to secrets and freedom, unlocking doors both literal and metaphorical on Coraline’s quest for truth and liberation.
I marvel at the intricacy of themes and symbols in “Coraline,” each thread contributing to the rich tapestry of Coraline’s world. Through her eyes, we glimpse the complexities of childhood and the timeless struggle between light and shadow, courage and fear.