coraline essay

Gaiman’s Book “Coraline”: Behind the Door Essay

Introduction.

Coraline is a dark fantasy novella for children written by Neil Gaiman. The book features Coraline, a girl who moves into a new house with her parents. Coraline is unhappy with her new life because her parents are always busy, and the surroundings are not as exciting as she expected. One day, the protagonist finds a door that leads to a different world. There, she has to deal with mysterious creatures and discover her strengths and weaknesses.

The setting of the book is most frightening and otherworldly, and the narrative is full of vivid descriptions of unreal places and characters the protagonist meets. Though the story describes mysterious circumstances, it covers real problems: the author touches upon different themes, such as childhood, home, trauma, and hope. These problems are represented through the images of the girl’s imprisoned parents, the witch kidnapper, the trapped souls of children, and the unreal world itself.

The problem of trauma is reflected in multiple challenges Coraline has to rise up to. Moving to a new house is an unpleasant experience for her; she has already explored all the surroundings and is dissatisfied with boredom and lack of her parents’ attention. Coraline deals with uncomfortable situations both in the real and the unreal world. However, the author shows that even a traumatic experience can positively influence one’s personality. As the story progresses, Coraline finds out that she can overcome every difficulty. She shows a great deal of courage and determination by saving her parents and the kidnapped children and by finding a way to deceive the Other Mother at the end of the story.

In the scary world behind the mysterious door, Coraline is confronted with dangers. However, the girl turns out to have a courageous and optimistic personality. Coraline constantly tries to find hope and motivation: she tends to remind herself that she is a brave and curious explorer in this unknown world. The girl even comforts the scared cat and her ghost friends, and therefore, she is the embodiment of hope in the story.

The theme of home is one of the key issues reflected in the novella. Being dissatisfied with her new life, Coraline is first amazed by the different world: her impostor parents treat her in the best way and even cook her favorite food. However, Coraline soon understands that this house and these parents are not her real family. After her scary adventures, Coraline realizes that her real parents are the most important people in her life, and her home is where her loved ones are. Coraline’s attitude changes significantly as she returns home, and starts seeing her life in a positive way.

All themes considered, it is possible to say that Coraline’s childhood beliefs were connected with exploring the world and living a life full of fascinating adventures. Coraline is curious by nature, even though in many cultures adventurousness is associated with boyhood. The reader or the mediator may find Coraline an absolute fantasy if their cultural attitude to childhood is connected with dependency on adults and incapability of making decisions. Nevertheless, other people may notice the neat symbolism of Coraline’s adventures. The author’s attitude towards childhood is depicted in the image of the protagonist: the writer suggests that it is always possible to find a solution to any problem and overcome traumatic experiences.

In conclusion, although the story is about mysterious creatures and the scary parallel world, the author brings up real issues. Neil Gaiman implies that even children sometimes have to go through unpleasant, stressful, and even traumatic situations. However, by describing the adventures of the brave girl, the author suggests that courageous and optimistic people can always overcome difficulties and also reveal new sides of their personalities.

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Bibliography

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Themes and Analysis

By neil gaiman.

"Coraline" by Neil Gaiman captures a number of fascinating themes and intriguing symbols, such as the button eyes and the key, that enrich the story in multiple ways.

Main Themes

• Courage: Facing fears to save loved ones.
• The Power of Imagination: Shaping reality and overcoming challenges.
• Self-sufficiency: Relying on oneself for survival and triumph.
• Simple, Matter-of-Fact Writing: Clear, straightforward descriptions without embellishment.
• Third-Person Limited Perspective: Narration centered on Coraline's experiences and observations.
• Calm and Curious Tone: Maintains composure and curiosity, despite frightening events.
• The Button Eyes: Represents manipulation and loss of humanity.
• Mirrors: Reflect hidden truths and alternate realities.
• The Key: Symbolizes access to secrets and freedom.

The story of " Coraline"  begins with Coraline's curiosity with her new surroundings, setting the stage for mysterious events to unfold. Ignored by her busy parents, Coraline's exploration leads to the discovery of a mysterious door.

Coraline outwits the Other Mother, rescues her parents and the trapped souls, and returns to safety, symbolizing triumph over darkness and the power of courage.

Continue down for complete analysis to Coraline

Article written by Neesha Thunga K

B.A. in English Literature, and M.A. in English Language and Literature.

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. 

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.

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. 

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 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.

Coraline Quiz

Unleash your imagination and courage—our 'Coraline' Trivia Quiz awaits! Do you have the cleverness to navigate the eerie mysteries and hidden dangers of Neil Gaiman's haunting world? Accept the challenge now and prove your mastery over the otherworldly adventures of Coraline!

1) Who is the author of Coraline?

2) What is Coraline's last name?

3) What unusual feature do the inhabitants of the other world have?

4) Who does Coraline meet in the other world who resembles her mother?

5) What is the name of Coraline's cat?

6) How does Coraline enter the other world?

7) What does the Other Mother want to do to Coraline?

8) Who helps Coraline understand the dangers of the other world?

9) What object does Coraline use to see the truth in the other world?

10) What does Coraline find trapped in the other world?

11) Who is Miss Spink and Miss Forcible?

12) What game does the Other Mother propose to Coraline?

13) What is the final challenge Coraline faces in the other world?

14) How does Coraline manage to trap the Other Mother's hand?

15) What does Coraline discover when she returns to the real world?

16) What type of creature is the Other Father?

17) What does Coraline use to keep the souls of the children safe?

18) Who warns Coraline about the other world before she discovers it?

19) What does Coraline find in the other world’s garden?

20) What is the fate of the Other Mother at the end of the novel?

21) What does Coraline's real mother do for a living?

22) What is Coraline's father’s hobby?

23) How does the Other Mother control the other inhabitants of her world?

24) What is the old man upstairs training in his apartment?

25) What does Coraline do to stay calm when she is scared?

26) What is the name of the cat’s owner in the real world?

27) What do Miss Spink and Miss Forcible give Coraline for protection?

28) What is Coraline’s reaction when she first discovers the other world?

29) Why does the Other Mother want Coraline to stay in the other world?

30) How does Coraline save her real parents from the other world?

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About Neesha Thunga K

Neesha, born to a family of avid readers, has devoted several years to teaching English and writing for various organizations, making an impact on the literary community.

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Neil Gaiman

Coraline Jones and her mother and father have just moved to a new town. Their new flat is part of a larger house which has been parceled up into individual units. The house’s other tenants include Miss Spink and Miss Forcible , two aging former actresses who own several Highland terriers, and an individual Coraline knows only as the crazy old man upstairs —a man who claims to be training a “mouse circus” to play tiny instruments. Coraline’s parents are often busy working in their studies, and, since it’s the end of the summer, Coraline is left to her own devices much of the time. One afternoon, exploring the yard, Coraline meets a black cat who runs away when she tries to pet it; another afternoon, stuck inside during a rainstorm, Coraline becomes curious about a large wooden door in the corner of the drawing room. Coraline’s mother opens the door with a black key to show her that it opens up onto a brick wall and explains that the door goes nowhere. As Coraline falls asleep that night, she hears a scuttling noise outside her door. She gets out of bed and follows the noise through the house toward the drawing room—when she flicks on the light, she sees that the door is open. Coraline returns to bed and tries to fall asleep, but she is disturbed by a nightmare about a chorus of rats singing a threatening song. The next day, the rain has given way to a thick mist. Coraline visits with her neighbors, since exploring is too hard in the fog. The man upstairs says that his mice have a message for Coraline: “Don’t go through the door.” At Miss Spink and Miss Forcible’s, Miss Spink reads Coraline’s tea leaves and warns her that she is in danger. She gives Coraline a pebble with a hole in it to carry as a talisman.

The next day, Coraline is bored and antsy when her mother heads out for groceries. Coraline uses the black key to open the door and finds that the brick wall has become a hallway. She walks through the hall and finds herself in another version of her home. In the kitchen there is a woman who looks like Coraline’s mother—but the “ other mother ” has black buttons for eyes. The other mother is happy to see Coraline and says she’s been waiting for her a long time. Coraline’s “ other father ” joins them for dinner and serves a sumptuous meal which stands in stark contrast to the fancy, nasty “recipes” Coraline’s real father often serves. After dinner, Coraline’s other parents urge her to go play in her bedroom. Coraline finds a pack of rats living under her bed—they sing her another ominous song. Perturbed, Coraline leaves her room and tells her other parents she’s going for a walk. Outside, Coraline encounters the same black cat from the “real” world—here, it’s able to talk to her, and its voice sounds like the voice at the back of her head. Coraline asks the cat about where she is, what she’s doing there, and who her other parents really are, but the cat doesn’t give Coraline any answers and instead darts off into the woods. Coraline decides to go visit the other Miss Spink and the other Miss Forcible . In this world, the two of them are beautiful young women who perform a never-ending show that combines Shakespearean soliloquy and circus acts to a rapt audience of talking terriers. Coraline leaves the performance and returns to her own flat, where her other parents tell her they’d like for her to stay with them forever. All she has to do, they tell her, is let them remove her eyes and replace them with buttons. Coraline refuses. Her other mother begrudgingly agrees to let Coraline return to her own world.

Back at home, Coraline locks the door tight behind her—but discovers that her mother still hasn’t returned home from the store and her father is nowhere to be found. Coraline visits with Misses Spink and Forcible, makes herself dinner, and gets into bed, where she cries herself to sleep. She’s awoken in the middle of the night by the cat batting her face with its paws. She asks the cat to take her to her parents, and the cat leads her to the hall mirror—Coraline sees her parents standing inside. They fog up the glass and write “HELP US.” Coraline dresses in slippers and a robe and uses the key to open the door once more. As she and the cat walk down the hall, Coraline tells the cat a story about a time when she and her father were chased by wasps. Her father got badly stung—but knew he had to go back for his glasses, which he’d dropped near their nest. True bravery, Coraline says, is going back into a scary situation even knowing how scary it is. At the other end of the hallway, Coraline finds her other mother waiting with open arms. Coraline asks where her parents are, and the other mother tells Coraline that they have abandoned her. Coraline refuses to believe the other mother’s lies. The other mother has one of her rats retrieve the black key, and Coraline asks why there isn’t a matching one in this world. The other father states that there’s only one key. The other mother, enraged, tells the other father to hush up and orders Coraline to bed. Coraline, afraid to sleep in her other room, asks the cat what the other mother wants with her. The cat supposes the other mother wants “something to love” or perhaps just “something to eat.” Coraline asks the cat how she can escape—the cat says that “creatures” like the other mother love games and suggests Coraline challenge her to one.

In the morning, Coraline goes into the kitchen to find her other father waiting for her. His face has become vague and doughy, and when Coraline asks him questions about the other mother, he refuses—or is unable—to answer. Coraline tries to explore the grounds around the house but finds that the farther she walks, the less there is. Coraline returns to the house and encounters the other mother. She asks what the other mother has done with her parents. The other mother, frustrated with Coraline’s impudence, pulls her down the hall, opens the mirror, and throws Coraline into a cupboard. Inside the dark of the cupboard, Coraline hears voices and feels shapes around her. She soon realizes that there are three children in the cupboard with her. The children explain that the other mother—whom they refer to as “the beldam,” another word for witch—lured them all here as she lured Coraline. Some of the children seem to have been trapped for centuries, and have become shells of their former selves. The other children beg Coraline to find their souls, which are scattered through the other mother’s world, and rescue them. As Coraline falls asleep, one of the children entreats her to “look through the stone.”

The next morning, the other mother releases Coraline from the cupboard and makes her a sumptuous breakfast. Coraline reluctantly eats. After breakfast, she challenges the other mother to a game. If Coraline wins the “finding-things” game and locates the souls of the three children—as well as her parents—the other mother must let them all leave; if Coraline loses, she’ll stay forever and let the other mother put buttons on her eyes. The other mother gleefully agrees to the challenge. Coraline goes to her bedroom and searches it top-to-bottom but is unable to find anything resembling a soul. Coraline then remembers the lost children’s advice—she lifts Miss Spink’s stone to her eye and looks through the hole. The stone renders the world black-and-white save for a small marble which glows bright red—Coraline realizes that the lost children’s souls are trapped in marbles. After securing the marble, Coraline heads to Miss Spink and Miss Forcible’s flat to search for the second. The theater inside looks as if it has been abandoned for centuries. All of the dogs have transformed into hairless, bat-like creatures, and Misses Spink and Forcible have turned into a waxy, double-headed thing suspended in an egg-like sac. Coraline spots a soul inside the sac, retrieves it, and escapes the theater as the creature wakes and the bat-dogs descend upon her. Outside, the other mother offers Coraline a key to the empty flat around the corner. Coraline takes it, though she knows the other mother might be leading her into a trap. In the empty flat, Coraline encounters a reeking, grub-like creature that she realizes is the other father. The grub apologizes for what Coraline is going through—but admits it can’t defy the other mother, and then attacks Coraline. She narrowly escapes its clutches. Next, Coraline heads to the flat belonging to the other crazy old man upstairs . Inside, she finds the other crazy old man in his bedroom and realizes that he is made entirely of rats. After spotting a marble in the paws of the largest rat, she lunges at it, but the rats flee the apartment, tripping Coraline as she chases them down the stairs. Coraline fears all is lost—but soon the cat brings her the decapitated giant rat, the third and final soul still in its paws. As Coraline looks around, she sees that the world has become covered in mist and the house has lost its shape. The cat becomes nervous and states that the other mother, angry that Coraline has found all three souls, has sealed off all the ways in and out of her world. Coraline picks up the frightened cat and carries it inside. She encounters the other mother in the parlor and notices a snow globe with two figures inside it on the mantelpiece—Coraline realizes it must contain her parents, as there is no slow globe on the mantelpiece in her own home. Coraline tricks the other mother into opening the hall door—then throws the cat at her face, seizes the globe from the mantel, and runs down the hall. She attempts to shut the door behind her, but hears something fall to the ground with a sickening thump as she does. Coraline runs home through the hall, locking the door from the other side before falling asleep, exhausted, on the sofa in the drawing room.

Coraline wakes to find that her parents are home. They seem to have no knowledge or memory of being entrapped in the other mother’s world. Coraline is relieved to have them back. She happily lets them work undisturbed throughout the afternoon, then eats the “recipe” her father cooks for dinner. That night, Coraline has a dream in which she and the three lost children enjoy a picnic in a meadow. The children thank Coraline for saving them—but warn her that “the beldam” is not done with her. Coraline awakens from the dream to hear a familiar scuttling in the hall. She gets up, follows the scuttling to the front door, and opens it to look outside. Coraline is horrified when the other mother’s hand—searching for the black key, no doubt—rushes between her legs and out into the yard. As the days go by, Coraline takes to carrying the black key around her neck. The hand attacks one of Miss Spink and Miss Forcible’s dogs, makes an appearance at Coraline’s bedroom window, and perturbs the crazy old man’s mouse circus. Coraline knows she needs to vanquish the other mother once and for all. She devises a plan to trap the hand in a deep well at the edge of the woods near her house. After setting up a fake tea party with some old dolls, Coraline lures the hand onto a thin paper tablecloth concealing the well—then drops both the hand and the key into its depths before covering it with heavy wooden boards. The cat, watching from a distance, winks at Coraline in approval. Coraline returns home, enjoys an evening with her parents, and falls asleep peacefully to the sounds of the mouse circus practicing their instruments. Coraline is starting a new year at a new school the next day—but knows nothing she’ll encounter there could possibly scare her anymore.

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Essays on Coraline

Brief description of coraline.

Coraline is a dark fantasy novella written by Neil Gaiman, where the protagonist, Coraline Jones, discovers a parallel world that initially seems better than her own reality but soon turns sinister. The story delves into themes of bravery, independence, and the importance of family.

Importance of Writing Essays ... Read More Brief Description of Coraline

Importance of writing essays on this topic.

Essays on Coraline provide an opportunity for academic exploration of the novella's themes, character development, and narrative style. They also encourage personal reflection on the impact of the story's messages and lessons on the reader's own life.

Tips on Choosing a Good Topic

• Consider focusing on specific themes such as bravery, identity, or the power of imagination.
• Explore the character development of Coraline and other key characters.
• Analyze the narrative style and its impact on the reader's experience.

Essay Topics

• The theme of bravery and its portrayal in Coraline.
• Coraline's journey to self-discovery and independence.
• The role of the Other Mother as a villain in Coraline.
• The significance of the cat in Coraline's story.
• A comparative analysis of the novella and its film adaptation.
• The use of imagery and symbolism in Coraline.
• Coraline as a coming-of-age story.
• The impact of Coraline's decisions on the outcome of the story.
• The importance of family in Coraline's narrative.
• The concept of escapism in Coraline.

Concluding Thought

Writing essays on Coraline offers a chance to explore the depths of the novella's themes and characters, providing valuable insights and personal connections. Embracing critical engagement with Coraline through essay writing can lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the story's complexities.

A Review of The Film 'Coraline'

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The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Protagonist’s Identity in 'Coraline'

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Bravery and Imagination in Neil Gaiman's "Coraline"

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by Neil Gaiman

Coraline study guide.

Coraline is the first children's novella by British fantasy writer Neil Gaiman . The novel takes its name from the story's young, female protagonist. After moving to a new home, Coraline acquaints herself with her eccentric neighbors and explores her surroundings. One day, Coraline observes a strange door in her apartment that appears to lead to a bricked-up passageway. Later, Coraline unlocks the door and realizes that the bricks have disappeared. Inside the corridor is a sinister world that mirrors her own. She encounters her "Other Mother" and "Other Father," who want Coraline to replace her eyes with black buttons in order to keep her with them forever. Coraline must face her fears and confront the Other world in order to save her parents and return to her previous life.

In interviews, Gaiman revealed that Coraline's name was created accidentally. While writing the first drafts of his story, Gaiman accidentally typed "Coraline" instead of the initial name of the protagonist, "Caroline." Surprised by the charm of the fictionalized name, Gaiman aimed to write about the unusual life of "Coraline." Following its publication in 2002, Coraline was praised for its originality and inventiveness. It has been compared to C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia and Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland .

Gaiman has received global recognition for Coraline. The novella has been awarded the 2002 Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers, the 2003 Hugo Award for Best Novella, and the 2003 Nebula Award for Best Novella. Following Coraline's publication, Gaiman was approached by numerous film production companies to adapt the story for the screen. Gaiman retained creative control during the story's adaptation, and he eventually chose to partner with Henry Selick to create a stop-motion production. The film was released in 2009 and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 82nd Academy Awards. The story has also been adapted for other mediums, including comic books and video games. In 2018, London's Barbican Centre premiered an opera based on the novella.

Coraline Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Coraline is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Main characters

Check this out:

https://www.gradesaver.com/coraline/study-guide/character-list

What is Coraline's biggest fear?

At the beginning of the story, Coraline feels secure in her comfortable existence. However, she is bored by her life and is constantly seeking stimulation or encouragement from either her environment or her loved ones. Once Coraline is put in an...

Describe two secondary characters of the story with at least six adjectives.

Coraline's Father: neglectful, self-absorbed, impatient

The Other Mister Bobo: persuasive, manipulative, frustrating

Study Guide for Coraline

Coraline study guide contains a biography of Neil Gaiman, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Coraline
• Coraline Summary
• Character List

Essays for Coraline

Coraline essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Coraline by Neil Gaiman.

• Manipulation and Appreciation in Coraline
• Blake and Gaiman on Women’s Desires: A Dissection of Mrs. Armitage on Wheels and Coraline
• Fantasy as a Form of Empowerment in 'Coraline' and 'Harry Potter'

Lesson Plan for Coraline

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Coraline
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Coraline Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Coraline

• Introduction

87 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-7

Chapters 8-10

Chapters 11-13

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

Neil Gaiman ’s Coraline is a 2002 middle-grade horror novel that follows the titular character through a strange world of wonder and fear. Coraline must use her wit, her bravery, and the help of her allies to survive and escape the strange world. As the story unfolds, it examines What It Means to Be Brave , The Drawbacks of Always Getting What You Want , and The Importance of Having Allies . Coraline is a New York Times bestseller and the winner of the 2003 Hugo Award for Best Novella. The novel was adapted into a stop-motion animation film by the same name in 2009.

This study guide follows the HarperCollins 10th anniversary paperback edition.

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Plot Summary

Coraline is a perceptive, adventurous girl whose family recently moved into a flat in a large, divided house. Coraline’s parents work from home in separate offices and have little time for her. They also cook food Coraline doesn’t enjoy. Her neighbors are Miss Spink and Miss Forcible , two aging former actresses who live in the downstairs flat, and Mr. Bobo, an eccentric old man training a mouse circus in the upstairs flat. There is also a black cat that wanders the grounds, but Coraline fails to befriend it.

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After exploring all she can outside, Coraline grows bored and becomes curious about a door in the family’s drawing room. Her mother unlocks the door to show Coraline that there is a brick wall behind it that was installed when the house was divided into flats. On the other side of the brick wall is an empty flat no one has moved into yet.

That night in bed, Coraline hears a noise and goes to investigate. She follows a small, shadowy shape to the drawing room, where she sees it scurry toward the door. She notices the door is ajar, closes it, and returns to bed, where she dreams of black shapes singing a creepy tune.

The next day, Coraline explores outside again. She runs into Mr. Bobo, who tells her the mice have a message for her: They warn her not to go through the door. Coraline goes back inside to spend time with her parents, but they are distracted by work. She tries the door in the drawing room, but it is locked again.

Coraline’s father suggests she go bother Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, so she does. Miss Spink and Miss Forcible serve Coraline tea and offer to read her tea leaves. The tea leaves warn of terrible danger, so the ladies give Coraline a stone with a hole through it, saying it can help in bad times.

The following day, Coraline and her mother go school shopping while her father works on business the next town over. Coraline asks for Day-Glo green gloves to help her stand out, but her mother refuses and only buys school uniforms.

When they return home, Coraline’s mother goes back to the store for food. Home alone, Coraline unlocks the door in the drawing room; the brick wall is gone. Coraline enters, believing at first that she is visiting the empty flat, but she soon finds herself in a flat identical to her family’s.

Here, Coraline meets a woman who calls herself as Coraline’s other mother. The other mother resembles Coraline’s mother but has pale skin, long fingers, and black button eyes. The other mother tells Coraline to fetch her other father, who resembles Coraline’s father but also has buttons for eyes.

The three sit down to eat a delicious meal. Coraline likes this food much more than the food at home. After, Coraline goes to her room, where the other Mr. Bobo, also button-eyed, puts on a performance with his trained rats. The rats sing a similar song to the one Coraline dreamed about. The other mother and other father keep a close eye on Coraline, treating her with the affection and attention she does not get at home.

After the rats’ performance, Coraline goes outside. She spots the black cat, who she assumes is the other black cat at first. However, it speaks to her and clarifies that it is the same cat. The cat is vague about how it travels between the real world and the other world, but it praises Coraline for being smart enough to bring protection before running off.

Coraline goes to the downstairs flat, which has the interior of a theater. On stage, the other Miss Spink and other Miss Forcible put on an endless performance. Shortly after Coraline’s arrival, they morph into their younger selves and continue to live out their glory days on the stage. Coraline gets to be a volunteer for one of their acts, but she decides to leave shortly after participating.

Her other parents are waiting for her outside. They invite her to stay with them forever to be a happy family. The only thing she must do is allow them to replace her eyes with buttons. Uneasy, Coraline declines their invitation. When the other mother touches Coraline’s shoulder, Coraline touches the stone in her pocket, causing the other mother to quickly let go. Coraline leaves the world. The other mother invites her to come back soon.

Back home, Coraline’s parents haven’t returned. Coraline waits all day and all night, but they never come back. Coraline manages to feed herself and visits Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, who do not seem concerned when Coraline tells them her parents are missing. Coraline spends the day alone, entertaining and caring for herself. That night, she wakes around 3 am and goes to her parents’ room to find their empty bed. She cries and then goes to sleep in their bed.

The cat wakes her while it is still dark. Coraline asks if the cat knows where her parents are. It leads her to the mirror in the hallway, where Coraline can see they are together but trapped somewhere. Coraline’s mother writes “HELP US” on the mirror before they disappear, and the mirror becomes normal again. Coraline realizes the other mother abducted her parents. She prepares to return to the other world, bringing the stone as well as several apples so she won’t have to eat the other mother’s food.

As Coraline and the cat walk through the corridor to the other world, Coraline recounts how her dad once rescued her from wasps and then had to return because he dropped his glasses. She explains how he was brave for going back because he knew the wasps were there and was afraid, but he went anyway.

In the other world, the other mother tries to tempt Coraline with snacks and love. Coraline refuses and demands her parents back. The other mother tries to show that her parents are fine and happy without her, but Coraline doesn’t believe it. The other mother has a rat retrieve the only key to the door; she then locks the door and keeps the key on her. The other parents go to bed and suggest Coraline do the same.

Coraline goes outside, where the cat joins her. It tells her to challenge the other mother because the other mother likes games. It also warns her that the other mother won’t play fairly. Coraline agrees and goes to sleep in her other bedroom.

The next morning, the other mother is away. The other father explains that the other mother only created the house, the grounds, and the people in the house, so there is no point in exploring. Coraline wanders the house and notices a snow globe on the mantel, but she doesn’t think much of it.

She goes exploring anyway and discovers an empty fog when she walks too far. When she returns, the other mother grows angry at Coraline’s refusal to participate in activities , so she locks Coraline inside the mirror, which leads to a small, dark, closet-like space.

Inside the mirror, Coraline meets the ghosts of the other mother’s former victims. They warn Coraline that she’ll end up like them if she cannot escape. Coraline asks if the ghost children can be freed, but they tell her the other mother hid their souls. Coraline vows to find their souls once she is out of the room. Before napping, one of the ghosts tells Coraline to look through the hole in the stone.

When Coraline is finally let out, she challenges the other mother to a game: Coraline must find the souls of the ghost children and her parents to win her freedom. If Coraline fails, she promises to stay with the other mother. The other mother accepts. Coraline looks all over for the souls, but then she remembers to use the stone. Using the stone, Coraline finds the first soul hidden in a marble.

Coraline then goes to the downstairs flat. The theater is empty now, and Miss Spink and Miss Forcible have fused into a single creature that is nesting in a sac against the stage wall. Using the stone, Coraline sees there’s a soul inside the sac, so she retrieves it, narrowly avoiding the creature’s grasp.

When she goes outside, the other mother gives Coraline a key to the empty flat so she can check for souls there. Coraline accepts the key, expecting a trick. In the empty flat, Coraline finds a cellar where the deformed other father has been discarded. He warns Coraline that he is supposed to hurt her and has no free will to stop himself. One of his button eyes pops off before he attacks her, so Coraline plucks out his other eye and escapes.

Coraline goes to the upstairs flat, which is infested with the other Mr. Bobo’s rats. Once she finds the other Mr. Bobo, she sees he has a soul inside his suit. He tries to convince her to stay, but she tells him he doesn’t understand. He reveals he’s hollow and made of rats before falling apart. Coraline chases the biggest rat out of the flat because it is carrying the final soul, but she loses track of it.

Feeling hopeless, Coraline believes she has lost. Then, the cat shows up and drops the dead rat in front of her, allowing Coraline to collect the final soul. Coraline notices how everything in the world is just a distorted version of the real world and realizes her parents are in the snow globe. She and the cat go inside for the final battle against the other mother.

Coraline tricks the other mother by telling her that she believes her parents are behind the drawing room door. The other mother unlocks the door to prove Coraline wrong. Coraline throws the cat at the other mother and retrieves the snow globe. Coraline and the cat escape, but Coraline struggles to close the door. The souls of the ghost children emerge and help Coraline pull the door shut. Coraline locks the door and returns home to fall asleep on the couch. She is woken by her parents, who don’t remember their time in the snow globe.

They eat dinner together, which Coraline appreciates more now. She then goes to sleep. In her dreams, the ghost children thank her, but they warn that the other mother’s hand is still pursuing her. Coraline wakes up to see the hand scuttling around the flat, searching for the key that Coraline now keeps around her neck.

To get rid of the hand for good, Coraline stages a fake tea party over the old well outside. She spreads a tablecloth to disguise the well as solid ground and pretends to play around it with her dolls. She places the key in the middle of the tablecloth, loudly exclaiming as she does so. The other mother’s hand jumps for the key, grabbing it but also sinking the tablecloth into the well.

The hand and the key fall for a long time, and Coraline covers the well with heavy planks. She sleeps well that night, knowing she is finally free from the other mother.

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