Exploring Coraline: Themes and Symbolism Through the Book and Movie
By Hailey Cheng
What if your perfect world was a trap? Neil Gaiman’s Coraline explores this dilemma brilliantly. It is this peculiar little children's novel that masterfully combines whimsy with an enjoyable sense of fright. From the moment you step into Gaiman’s world of literature, it becomes evident that this is not a typical fairy tale. Coraline stands apart from many other books due to its unsettling tone and themes of peril and neglect, which can come across as both fantasy and horror. As you step into Coraline’s world, this article examines how Coraline's experiences reflect themes of neglect, bravery, and the struggle against malevolence, teaching readers that true courage lies in facing the darkness within and around us.
The story starts with the Jones family. Coraline and her parents move into an old house which has been divided into flats. A cast of significant characters live above and below Coraline’s flat. They symbolize different aspects of the ordinary world’s charm and potential danger. Former actresses Ms. Spink and Ms. Forcible represent the allure of the past, while symbolizing a link to a hidden, yet truthful form of new magic. Mr. Bobo and his mice convey the truths hidden behind an ordinary appearance.
During a rainy day, she discovers a locked door in the living room. With the use of a big black key, Coraline unlocks the door, only to discover that it has been all bricked up. Coraline ventures through the door, intrigued by the fact that it leads to another world in the absence of her parents. A passageway replaces the brick wall, leading Coraline to a flat somewhat identical to her own, inhabited by her Other Mother and Other Father, described as replicas of her real parents, except they possess button eyes and exaggerated features.
In this “Other World,” Coraline finds that everything is superior to her reality: her other parents are attentive, her toys and decorations are more peculiar and interesting, and she discovers the younger versions of Miss Spink and Miss Forcible performing in their part of the flat. She grows fond of this universe, until she discovers what lies beneath the oppression of the Other Mother. She slowly learns the once loving button-eyed mother is revealed to be a manipulative and dangerous entity, symbolizing how evil can lie behind a deceptive facade. Through her experiences, Coraline realizes that her real home and family, despite their imperfections and busy lives, are precious and far more valuable than the seductive but empty alternative.
As Gaiman was finishing up his novella, he met a man called Henry Selick and invited him to make a film adaptation of Coraline. In the present, the movie is noted for its unsettling atmosphere, doll-like characters, and the dream-like color palettes highlighting a contrast between both worlds. Initially, Selick envisioned a brief 47-minute adaptation of the film; however, the story was expanded into a 1-hour and 40-minute movie. In a quest for a unique animation style, Selick discovered the work of Tadahiro Uesugi, a Japanese illustrator, whose biggest influence was evident in the color palette. This palette featured muted tones in the real world, in contrast with the more vibrant and colorful hues in the Other World.
The creators of the movie change the atmosphere from dull to vibrant and an almost “perfect” essence. This visual storytelling emphasizes the theme of superficial fulfillment versus genuine happiness, and what it takes for Coraline to overcome this false pride. In the movie, a new character has been introduced by the name of Wybie Lovat. At their cores, both characters are terminally curious, ignored by their parents, and always seeking adventure. Wybie serves as a foil to Coraline by highlighting her qualities, sharing the same traits of curiosity and loneliness while still having contrasting personalities; he is portrayed as a somewhat nervous and shy boy, which makes Coraline’s bravery and bold personality stand out. Wybie’s nervous and timid demeanor provides moments of humor to the audience, and his initial antagonism serves to highlight Coraline’s character: a feisty and curious girl, weary of her parents' neglect, who is eager to seek out an adventure for her own amusement. The movie captures Gaiman’s story well by translating the fable into a compelling and visually stunning stop-motion film that balances wonder and horror, featuring a developing antagonist and maintaining thematic resonance with the book.
All in all, Coraline balances themes of neglect, identity, and bravery to create a captivating novel suitable for all readers that builds an everlasting impact on its audience's mind. The story reminds the audience that life isn’t perfect, and there isn’t such a thing as a “perfect world.” It makes us come to terms with the reality of life and not to take for granted the people who love you. Through Coraline’s story, we witness the impact of neglect on a child’s psyche and the transformative power of confronting one’s fears and embracing one’s true identity. Both Gaiman and Selick explore the predator vs. prey dynamic, depicting Coraline’s battle against the Other Mother, who attempts to manipulate Coraline to stay in her “better world,” showcasing the struggle of innocence and malevolence brilliantly. Gaiman’s lyrical writing style and imagination make the story engaging and accessible to both children and adults, pulling his audience into the story and leaving them with a lasting sense of wonder and unease. At its heart, Coraline teaches us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the strength to confront it, even in the darkest of moments.