Characters
This character is Meg's younger brother who is described as exceptionally intelligent and different from other children his age.
Who is Charles Wallace?
This is the planet where Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin first arrive after traveling through the tesseract.
What is Uriel?
This is the unusual characteristic of Charles Wallace that makes the adults initially believe he may be developmentally delayed, even though he is actually highly intelligent.
What is his limited speech/late talking?
This event begins the main adventure and gives Meg a reason to leave Earth.
What is the disappearance of her father?
When a character's eyes are described as being like "stars," this comparison is an example of this type of figurative language.
What is a simile?
This character is a brilliant but absent-minded scientist whose disappearance drives much of the story.
Who is Mr. Murry/ Father?
This is the planet where Meg and Calvin encounter a society in which everyone behaves in an eerily identical and controlled way.
What is Camazotz?
This is the sport Calvin plays at school that helps explain why he is well known by other students.
What is basketball?
These three mysterious women introduce Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin to the idea of traveling through space and time.
Who are Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which?
When the darkness is described as if it is something that can surround, attack, or consume a person, this is an example of this technique.
What is personification?
Meg's tendency to become angry and frustrated easily reveals this character trait.
What is impulsive/hot-tempered?
This setting contrasts with Camazotz because it represents freedom, individuality, and beauty rather than conformity and control.
What is Earth?
This is the name given to the dark force that has been spreading throughout the universe.
What is the Black Thing?
This unusual method of traveling allows the characters to move across enormous distances without traveling through ordinary space.
What is a tesseract?
The repeated image of people moving in perfect rhythm on Camazotz helps readers visualize this larger idea.
What is conformity?
Although Charles Wallace appears confident and intelligent, he also demonstrates this quality by showing strong concern for Meg and their family.
What is caring/compassionate?
This is one odd thing about Camazotz.
What is the childen playing in sync, the homes being identical, the mothers' calling in their children all at the same time, etc.?
This character is known for frequently quoting famous authors and philosophers instead of speaking entirely in her own words.
Who is Mrs. Who?
The children encounter this unusual creature on Uriel, which helps them understand that they have entered a world very different from Earth.
What is the winged centaur-like creature?
When Camazotz is described as having everything moving in perfect rhythm, the repeated sensory descriptions emphasize the planet's lack of individuality. This is an example of this literary technique.
What is imagery?
This character initially seems mysterious and frightening but later reveals that she is helping Meg and her companions.
Who is Mrs. Which?
This is how much time Mrs. Murray believes has passed since the children left earth.
What is none at all?
This is the object that Mrs. Who gives Meg because it may be useful during her journey.
What are Mrs. Who's glasses?
The children are shown a visual representation of Earth that helps them understand that Earth is also being affected by the darkness.
What is the image of Earth surrounded by darkness?
The contrast between light and darkness throughout the novel can represent this larger conflict.
What is good versus evil?