Coraline’s Growth in Coraline(2)

In the second stage, it is a process of exploring. In this Gothic style world Coraline suffers hardships from this stage and lay foundations for eventual growth. The crucial figures in this stage are the Other Mother, Other Father, children’s soul, Other Wybie and black cat.

The Other mather is considerate, kind, and the Other father is patience, kind, humorous and romatic. And Coraline can’t receive thoes concern and touch magic things in the real world. Besides the huge conspiracy behind, they deserve the tittle of perfect parents. But seemingly perfect thing must have its defects, and the excessive coddle just like the honey with poison, lead people down to the evil of the abyss. After the Other mother puts the buttons in front of her, she faces two choices – to use the soul to exchange the life she wants or back to the common but real world. There is no doubt that Coraline choose latter. There are reason why she chooses the back to real world. Except she make out into some type of conspiracy, Coraline is more reluctant to be hoodwinked her mind by buttons. It is indicated that child’s growth under intrapsychical self-isolated condition is still can have their own decisions.

The souls from three children represent the price you have pay in your growth. As their caveat, Coraline have not repeat it. Like Coraline, they are allured by the Other Mother. In order to own the delicious food, beautiful cloths, interesting toys forever, they choose to stay in the Other World with button eyes. A little girl tells Coraline that the Other Mother says she loves them, but end with deprive their lifes. From here, we can realize that coddle is not the true love. The attitude of grant whatever is requested by child is not right way to express love. The children who choose to intoxicate in the coddle will lost themselves.

The Other Wybie forms a striking contrast by Wybie in the real world. The real world Wybie is talktive boy, and the Other Wybie is always silent. The talktive Wybie hide his ture heart and conceal the secret of old house. The silent Wybie built a deep friendship with Coraline, willing to sacrifice himself to save Coraline. The Other Wybie annotates the true essence of friendship – no need for too much words, the soul communication is crucial.

Black cat as a mentor to Coraline and likes guide light for Coraline through her journey. Unlike many of the characters in the novel, he does not have an “other world” counterpart, saying that unlike other creatures in the world, cats can “keep themselves together”.