Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time
Description
As the first book of fiction in a four-part science fiction series, A Wrinkle In Time has many Christian, spiritual undertones while telling the tale of Meg Murry, her little brother, Charles Wallace, and the rest of the quirky Murry gang. These characters go on an adventure into space to save their science-genius of a father, only to find that the world is in danger of 'The Black Thing' - an ultimate, devilish symbol of the evil that envelops the world yet can not fully outshine it because of the world’s defenders: those pure in heart and intent. But can they defeat the Black Thing once and for all?
Author Background
Thanks to Encarta Reference Library 2005 for this background info!
L’Engle, Madeleine (1918-2007), American writer, noted for her science fiction and fantasy novels and her family stories for children. Born Madeleine L'Engle Camp in New York City, she graduated from Smith College in 1941. She pursued graduate studies at the New School for Social Research (1941-1942) and at Columbia University (1960-1961). After college L'Engle worked in theater for several years, and then worked as a teacher.
L'Engle first wrote for adults, tending to write complex stories with profound themes. She began to gear her writing toward children, however, because she believed children are more open to new and difficult ideas than adults are. More than 20 publishers initially rejected A Wrinkle in Time (1962), her most popular and critically acclaimed novel, because they thought it was too difficult for children. The story of three children's intergalactic rescue of their scientist father, the novel was awarded the 1963 Newbery Medal from the American Library Association. It is the first in L'Engle's “Time Quartet,” which also includes A Wind in the Door (1973), A Swiftly Tilting Planet (1978), and Many Waters (1986). This series combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and realism with themes that recur throughout L'Engle's work—good versus evil, the importance of family, the individual's responsibility to make choices, and the overwhelming power of love. These same themes are explored in L'Engle's more realistic novels about the Austin family, which begin with Meet the Austins (1960) and include The Young Unicorns (1968) and A Ring of Endless Light (1980), a Newbery Honor Book. In 1984 the Catholic Library Association awarded her the Regina Medal for the sustained excellence of her contributions to children's literature. In addition to books for children, L'Engle has written several novels and nonfiction works for adults.
Contributed By:
Lauren L. Mayer, Senior Children's Library, New York Public Library
Further reading
Contemporary Info on L'Engle's Life and Story: How do Chrisitian themes and ideas resonate in her book? And what are the lasting effects of the Wrinkle quintet?
Source/publication Title/author
Times Record News ‘Wrinkle in Time’ writer more godly than godless by Terry Mattingly ('Wrinkle' more godly than godless)
My paper on GURU! GURU: Gathering Unusual Religious (and Spiritual) Understanding by Michele Jasterzbski (GURU)
Madeline L'engle online http://www.madeleinelengle.com/
Bookclub questions
Questions for book clubs or solitary readers
"Reading Refreshers" - questions that jog your memory of the plot! Yay!
1) In what setting does the novel begin? What is the weather like and what does it give the impression of? Is it foreboding?
2) How would you describe Meg? Why does she appear to feel outcasted?
3) First impressions of Charles Wallace: what makes him special?
4) What were your first impressions of Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which?
5) From where does the group rescue Mr. Murry? What is the Tesseract?
Book Club Discussion Questions
1) Holy Trinity: The Holy Trinity is defined as the union of three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) in one Godhead, or the threefold personality of the one Divine Being (www.dictionary.com). Do you think Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which (the three mysterious 'beings' who are later identified as stars) are connected to the image of the Holy Trinity? Renowned authors such as Dante have played with this holy image over time, making it seem a strong symbol. Is it effective as a strong symbol? How does it connect to your life, faith, or beliefs?
2) Happy Medium: What does the author suggest about happy mediums in life through the character of the Happy Medium? Do happy mediums truly exist?
3) Like and Equal: Meg distinguishes between the two words "like" and "equal." Why is this significant? Have you ever thought about this difference before?
4) Aunt Beast: The saying "Don't judge a book by its cover" comes to mind with the presence of "Aunt Beast," a nurturing creature from a foreign planet that, while nurturing, is also a bit hideous to Meg. Why do you think the author contrasts or juxstaposes this loving, caring nature with such an alien exterior? What does that suggest about the way we live?
5)
Allusions: Do the literary allusions that the three 'beings' give the three children (and those that pops up in other places in the book) make the book more or less accessible for readers? Do you have a favorite allusion from Wrinkle or one that sticks out in your mind? What do you think about literary allusions and their role in literature? Do you think most readers enjoy them or do you think most readers want to have a book that does not make them research allusions to other works?
6) Meg's Monologue: Why do you think the emphasis on Meg's individuality is established from the beginning until the end of the book? What is L'engle trying to say about growing up and its connection to self-reliance? Think about the three 'beings' leaving Meg to fend for herself on Camazotz.
7) Camazotz: Why might this planet be called Camazotz?
8) Disappearances: Why do you think L'engle has the three 'beings' diappear at the end of the book and at parts throughout the book? What does this say about the nature of good and evil?
9) The Ending: What would you like to see emphasized in the next book(s)?
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.