Coraline Identity Quotes Page 1
(Chapter.Paragraph)
| Quote #1 "No," said Coraline quietly, "I asked you not to call me Caroline. It's Coraline." (1.7) |
The fact that everyone gets Coraline's name wrong works as a powerful motif, or repeating theme, throughout the novel. Coraline's tone of voice here emphasizes just how fed-up she is with it. A name can really mean a lot to a person – just think about how many people change their names (especially those A-list celebs!).
| Quote #2 "No," said Coraline. "I don't want to do those things. I want to explore." (1.23) |
If you asked Coraline what she was, she might answer that she's an explorer. We'd agree. Exploring is central to her identity – if we took that away from her, she wouldn't be the same person.
| Quote #3 A woman stood in the kitchen with her back to Coraline. She looked a little like Coraline's mother. Only... (3.44) |
We love the way Gaiman trails off here with "Only...," emphasizing how subtly different the other mother is. Can someone's identity be qualified with an "only"? What do you think?
