Stormy Night, Troubled Hearts

On a wild, stormy night, Meg Murry sits in her attic bedroom, feeling isolated and misunderstood. Her father, a scientist, has mysteriously disappeared, leaving the family the subject of gossip and speculation. Meg struggles at school, feeling out of place and angry, especially about her precocious little brother, Charles Wallace, who is considered odd by others. The family's pain is palpable, but their love for each other is clear. Meg's mother, a brilliant scientist, tries to comfort her, but Meg's longing for her father and her own self-doubt overshadow everything. The night's tension is broken by the arrival of Charles Wallace, who seems to sense Meg's distress, and soon, a strange visitor arrives, setting the stage for a journey that will test the limits of love, courage, and understanding.

Visitors and Vanishings

The Murry family's kitchen becomes the site of a bizarre encounter when Mrs. Whatsit, an eccentric, otherworldly woman, arrives during the storm. She hints at knowledge of the tesseract—a concept Meg's parents have discussed in secret. The next day, Meg, Charles Wallace, and their new friend Calvin O'Keefe visit the haunted house where Mrs. Whatsit and her companions, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, reside. The trio of women are odd, quoting literature and speaking in riddles, but they seem to know about the Murrys' missing father. The children sense that something extraordinary is about to happen, and their ordinary world is about to vanish.

The Tesseract Revealed

The children are whisked away by Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, who reveal themselves as cosmic beings fighting a great evil. They explain the tesseract—a way to travel through the fifth dimension, folding space and time to cross vast distances instantly. The children learn that their father is trapped on a distant planet, and that the universe is threatened by a dark force, the Black Thing. The journey is disorienting and frightening, but the children's bond and the guidance of their mentors keep them moving forward.

Cosmic Flight and Darkness

On the planet Uriel, the children witness beauty and harmony, but also the looming threat of the Black Thing, a shadow of evil spreading across the cosmos. Mrs. Whatsit transforms into a magnificent, winged creature and carries the children aloft, showing them the darkness that threatens not just Earth, but countless worlds. The children realize the scale of the battle between light and darkness, and the importance of hope, courage, and love as the ultimate weapon in resisting evil. The experience is both inspiring and terrifying, as they see that even stars can fall in the fight against the shadow.

The Shadow Over Earth

Through the Happy Medium's crystal ball, the children see that the Black Thing has already touched Earth, causing suffering and despair. Yet, Earth has produced great fighters against the darkness—artists, scientists, saints, and ordinary people who shine as beacons of hope. The children are reminded that the struggle against evil is universal, and that even small acts of love and courage matter. They are given gifts and faults by Mrs. Whatsit and her companions—strengths and faults that will help them on their quest—and are warned that the next stage will test them to their core.

Gifts and Warnings

Before sending the children to the planet Camazotz, where Mr. Murry is imprisoned, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which bestow gifts and faults: Calvin's gift of communication, Meg's faults (her stubbornness and anger), and Charles Wallace's resilience. They warn that Camazotz is a world of perfect conformity, ruled by a sinister intelligence called IT. The children must rely on each other and their unique strengths, for their guides cannot intervene directly. The stage is set for a confrontation with a force that seeks to erase individuality and free will.

Camazotz: The Conformist World

On Camazotz, the children find a world where everyone acts in perfect unison, and any deviation is punished. The chilling uniformity extends to children playing, families, and even the architecture. The trio's attempts to interact with the inhabitants are met with fear and suspicion. They learn that the planet is ruled by IT, a disembodied brain that controls all thought and action. The children's individuality and love for each other make them stand out, putting them in grave danger as they search for Mr. Murry.

The Man with Red Eyes

Inside the CENTRAL Central Intelligence building, the children meet the Man with Red Eyes, a puppet of IT who tries to hypnotize them into submission. Charles Wallace, confident in his mental strength, attempts to resist but is ultimately overtaken. He becomes a mouthpiece for IT, losing his free will and turning against Meg and Calvin. The children's struggle against the seductive promise of safety and order at the cost of freedom becomes a battle for Charles Wallace's soul.

Charles Wallace Lost

With Charles Wallace under IT's control, Meg and Calvin are led to Mr. Murry, who is imprisoned in a transparent column. Meg uses Mrs. Who's glasses to break through the barrier and reunite with her father, but the joy is short-lived. Mr. Murry, weakened and inexperienced with tessering, is unable to save Charles Wallace. The family's reunion is marred by the realization that love alone is not enough—action and sacrifice are required. The group flees IT, but Charles Wallace remains lost, and Meg is gravely injured in the escape.

The Power of IT

IT's power is revealed as a relentless, pulsing brain that seeks to absorb all individuality. Meg, Calvin, and Mr. Murry struggle to resist its rhythm, using math, poetry, and stubbornness to hold onto their identities. The battle is not just physical but psychological, as IT preys on their fears and desires for safety. The cost of resistance is high, and Meg is nearly destroyed by the effort, left paralyzed and frozen on an unknown planet.

Rescue and Ruin

On the planet Ixchel, Meg is cared for by Aunt Beast, a gentle, sightless creature who heals her body and spirit. Meg confronts her anger and disappointment in her father, realizing that parents are fallible and that true strength comes from within. The beasts of Ixchel, who fight the Black Thing in their own way, teach Meg about love, trust, and the limits of sight and understanding. The healing is both physical and emotional, preparing Meg for the final test.

Aunt Beast's Healing

Aunt Beast's nurturing helps Meg recover from her ordeal, and the Murrys and Calvin consult with the cosmic beings about how to save Charles Wallace. The children learn that only Meg can return to Camazotz to rescue her brother, as she is the one closest to him. The decision is agonizing, but Meg accepts her responsibility, understanding that love is the ultimate weapon is both her weapon and her shield. The cosmic beings remind her that the foolish and the weak can confound the mighty, and that love is the greatest force in the universe.

The Choice to Return

Armed only with the knowledge of love and her own faults, Meg returns alone to Camazotz. She faces IT and the possessed Charles Wallace, realizing that hate and anger only strengthen the darkness. In a moment of clarity, Meg understands that what she has—love—is something IT can never possess or understand. She pours all her love into Charles Wallace, calling him back from the brink. The power of love breaks IT's hold, and Charles Wallace is freed.

Love Against the Darkness

Meg's love for Charles Wallace proves stronger than IT's control. By focusing on her love, she is able to reach the real Charles Wallace, pulling him back from the darkness. The victory is not achieved through violence or intellect, but through the simple, profound act of loving someone unconditionally. The darkness is repelled, and the siblings are reunited, their bond stronger than ever.

Reunion and Return Home

With IT defeated, Meg, Charles Wallace, Calvin, and Mr. Murry are whisked back to Earth by Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which. The family is joyfully reunited, and the cosmic beings depart, their work done. The Murrys' ordeal has changed them, deepening their love and understanding of each other. The story ends with laughter, hugs, and the knowledge that, though darkness exists, it can be overcome by the light of love.

Characters

Meg Murry

Meg is a bright but troubled teenager, struggling with self-doubt, anger, and a sense of not fitting in. Her love for her family, especially her missing father and her extraordinary brother Charles Wallace, drives her actions. Meg's journey is one of self-acceptance—she learns that her faults (impatience, stubbornness, fierce loyalty) are also her strengths. Her psychological arc moves from insecurity and resentment to courage and selfless love, culminating in her realization that love is the ultimate weapon against evil.

Charles Wallace Murry

Charles Wallace is Meg's five-year-old brother, a prodigy with an uncanny ability to sense others' thoughts and feelings. He is both wise beyond his years and emotionally fragile, making him susceptible to IT's control. His relationship with Meg is central—he trusts her implicitly, and she, in turn, is fiercely protective of him. Charles's journey is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the vulnerability of innocence, but also about the redemptive power of love.

Calvin O'Keefe

Calvin is a popular, athletic boy who feels out of place in his own family. He is drawn to the Murrys' warmth and intellect, and quickly becomes Meg's confidant and ally. Calvin's gift is communication—he bridges gaps between people and helps Meg and Charles Wallace navigate the challenges they face. His psychological need for acceptance and love is fulfilled through his friendship with the Murrys, and he emerges as a loyal, courageous companion.

Mrs. Whatsit

Mrs. Whatsit is the youngest and most approachable of the three celestial beings. She is whimsical, compassionate, and deeply invested in the children's success. Her past as a star who sacrificed herself to fight the Black Thing reveals her capacity for selfless love. She gives Meg the gift of her faults, recognizing that what makes us different can also make us strong.

Mrs. Who

Mrs. Who communicates primarily through quotations from literature and philosophy, reflecting her difficulty with direct speech. She provides wisdom and perspective, offering Meg her glasses as a tool for seeing beyond the obvious. Her role is to challenge the children to think deeply and to remind them of the universality of their struggle.

Mrs. Which

Mrs. Which is the most powerful and least corporeal of the trio, often appearing as a shimmering presence. She guides the children with stern wisdom, emphasizing the seriousness of their mission. Her speech is slow and deliberate, underscoring her otherworldliness. She represents the weight of cosmic responsibility and the necessity of courage.

Mr. Murry

Mr. Murry is a physicist whose disappearance sets the story in motion. He is idealized by his family, but when found, he is revealed to be human—brave but not omnipotent, loving but limited. His inability to save Charles Wallace forces Meg to step into her own power. His arc is one of humility and reconciliation, as he learns to accept help and trust his children's strengths.

Mrs. Murry

Mrs. Murry is both a brilliant scientist and a loving mother, holding the family together in her husband's absence. She embodies grace under pressure, modeling patience and faith for her children. Her relationship with Meg is complex—supportive but sometimes distant, as she struggles with her own pain and responsibilities.

Aunt Beast

Aunt Beast is a sightless, tentacled creature on the planet Ixchel who nurses Meg back to health. She represents unconditional love and acceptance, teaching Meg about trust, healing, and the limits of human perception. Her wisdom and comfort help Meg prepare for her final confrontation with IT.

IT

IT is the central antagonist—a massive, pulsing brain that enforces absolute conformity and suppresses individuality. IT's power is psychological, seducing with promises of safety and order while erasing free will. IT represents the dangers of totalitarianism, the loss of self, and the seductive nature of evil. IT's defeat comes not through violence or intellect, but through the power of love.

Plot Devices

The Tesseract (Fifth Dimension)

The tesseract is both a scientific concept and a metaphor for transcending limitations. It allows the characters to travel instantaneously across the universe, symbolizing the power of imagination, faith, and love to overcome distance and separation. The tesseract's complexity mirrors the characters' psychological journeys, as they learn to see beyond the surface and embrace the unknown.

The Black Thing

The Black Thing is a cosmic shadow, representing evil, fear, and the forces that stifle hope and creativity. It is both a literal and symbolic threat, touching every world and every heart. Its presence drives the plot, forcing the characters to confront their own darkness and to choose love over fear.

Gifts and Faults

The gifts and faults bestowed by Mrs. Whatsit and her companions—especially Meg's faults—underscore the theme that our weaknesses can be our greatest assets. The narrative structure uses these gifts as both plot devices and psychological tools, enabling the characters to face challenges that require more than conventional heroism.

Mind Control and Conformity

Camazotz's enforced sameness and IT's mind control and conformity serve as a chilling allegory for totalitarianism and the dangers of sacrificing individuality for the illusion of safety. The plot uses these devices to explore the value of difference, the necessity of resistance, and the power of free will.

Love as the Ultimate Weapon

The climax hinges on Meg's realization that love is the ultimate weapon that IT cannot possess or understand. Love's power to redeem, heal, and liberate is the story's central message, and its deployment as the final plot device elevates the narrative from a simple rescue mission to a profound meditation on the nature of good and evil.

Analysis

A Wrinkle in Time endures as a classic not only for its imaginative blend of science fiction and fantasy, but for its profound exploration of love, individuality, and the struggle against conformity and despair. Madeleine L'Engle's narrative is both a cosmic adventure and a deeply personal coming-of-age story, using the tesseract and the battle against the Black Thing as metaphors for the challenges of growing up, facing loss, and embracing one's own strengths and weaknesses. The book's central lesson—that love, in all its flawed, stubborn, and selfless forms, is the most powerful force in the universe—remains urgently relevant in a world still threatened by fear, division, and the temptation to surrender our uniqueness for the comfort of sameness. L'Engle's work invites readers to resist the darkness, cherish their individuality, and trust in the redemptive power of love, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

Last updated: May 7, 2025