ENG 231: Children's Literature
JC Clapp, North Seattle Community College
Discussion Questions for A Wrinkle in Time
Meg is arguably the main character in this book. Chart her character progression. What are the major turning points for Meg, and how does L’Engle craft Meg’s character? What specific attributes does Meg have that help her? Hurt her? What about Charles Wallace?
Meg is saved once by anger that overcomes her fear (144). Is L'Engle suggesting that anger is a good thing? The gift that Mrs. Whatsit gives Meg is a “fault”. Is the author suggesting that we ought not to try to get rid of our faults? What is being said about one’s character and self-perception? How might children interpret this?
A Wrinkle in Time speaks very directly to issues of parenting. Refer to page 200 when Meg’s father objects and Mrs. Whatsit stops him. "You are going to allow Meg this ‘privilege.’" How can danger be a privilege? And, then there’s Mrs. Whatsit's approval of Charles Wallace on page 19 when she says to his mother, "But at least you aren't trying to squash him down--You're letting him be himself." (As opposed to what in the dynamics of raising children?) How are the children raised in this book and what does the book say about what makes a “good” parent? What does it say about what it means to be a mother? A father? A child?
This book is dripping with religious symbolism and metaphor. Identify all of the religious commentary you can find. Why might it be significant? Are children likely to pick up on it?
Written in 1962, during the Cold War, this book contains deep commentary on social structure and political systems. How does the author comment on what’s right and wrong? Good and evil? What social and political systems are supported and shown as “good”? Which are shown as “bad”?
On Camazotz the children defend themselves by reciting nursery rhymes (page 122). Why are the multiplication tables antithetical to the nursery rhymes? What are the differences between them? What value is put on language here and in the rest of the book? How are various languages used?
Camazotz is very appealing in certain ways. What are they? Why do people choose freedom from responsibility? Charles Wallace defends the Camazotz system and its order at one point, and even though Charles Wallace is the most brilliant of the children, he is the one sucked into the power of IT. Discuss why this happens. How might children relate to Charles Wallace? Why is his genius-boy character included in this book? How is he contrasted with Calvin?
This book tackles head-on themes of technology, love, anger, grace, fairness, and personal responsibility (among others). How are those themes developed, and how successful is the book at communicating them to children? Will children “get it”?