Coraline

What is so special about Coraline? What makes her and this book so special? Well, like other Protagonists,it’s probably bravery. But Neil Gaiman portrays Coraline’s bravery very different compared to other protagonists. For some readers, it seems as if Coraline partially embraces the dangers and somehow uses it to maybe get rid of her boredom at the beginning of the book. But we will witness at the end of this book how Coraline overcomes the danger she is forced to face and almost makes the readers laugh at her wittiness in doing so. A huge reasons in which this book is so popular with children is probably because so many of them can relate to Coraline’s feelings. while the story goes along, some people will relate to Coraline’s actions and
sometimes they might be surprised by her actions. Coraline’s variety of characteristics also plays a big part in captivating the viewers. So let us talk about these characteristics that Coraline has and how it is shown throughout the book.

The first time we get a hint of Coraline’s personality is at her new flat.
She is shown as a girl whose energy and curiosity is insatiable. Her parents parents ignore her energy and enthusiasm, causing her to be constantly bored. This a part that a lot of young readers can relate to, being ignored by adults around them. As this go along, there will be a few actions or events that some people will be able to relate to. Coraline is also shown to be a little impatient. That is shown on page 4 when her downstair neighbors and upstair neighbor, Miss Spink,Miss Forcible and Mr Popo keep mistaking her name Coraline with the much more common name of Caroline. Her curiosity is then shown when she finds the tiny door in the drawing room on page 8. Her persistence is shown when her curiosity perks up from seeing the door and she starts pestering her mother to open the door to no end. Her mother, clearly annoyed, opens it quickly and reluctantly, which much to Coraline’s disappointment was bricked up. Even without any words to say so, readers can feel Coraline’s disappointment easily as they can relate to such a moment. Next, Coraline exits her house and is greeted by Mr. Popo, her neighbor from the flat above her flat. He tells her that the mices told him that to warn her that she is in danger. Coraline brushes off this warning thinking that Mr.Popo is a little crazy in his head. But Coraline still shows that she is intrigued about the information . Coraline then
visits her downstair neighbors Miss Forcible and Miss Spink who are former/retired actresses. While at the two retired actresses’ flat, Miss Spink and Miss Forcible volunteer to read Coraline’s future from the tea leaves of her drink. After a long time of bickering between the two women,-shown on page 20- they come to the agreement that Coraline is in danger. This makes Coraline think back to what Mr.Popo told her. Foreshadowing what is to happen next. Stop right here. If you were told all this, what would be your reaction? You would obviously be horrified but at the same time curious as to what all this meant. And that’s what Coraline does, she is intrigued but at the same time scared.

Next day, Coraline is shown to finally leave her house to go shopping with her mother for her school clothes. During the shopping trip, Coraline is at a constant standoff with her mother about what she wants to wear to school. Her mom insists that she wear the typical gray blouse,white socks,navy blue school underpants and a dark gray skirt. Coraline instead, wants Day-Glo green gloves, saying that the school outfit is boring and everyone has them but the green gloves are far more interesting. This shows that she likes to stand out and she has a rebellious side. This rebellious side is what starts her adventure later on.