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A Wrinkle in Time

In her science fantasy novel “A Wrinkle in Time,” Madeleine L’Engle portrays the

universe as a perpetual conflict between the forces of good and those of evil. Notably, the

author acknowledges that the world encompasses various beings who have different views,

interests, and motives. On the one hand, there are good people who are righteous, have ideal

moral, and aim to enhance the well-being of others and the society. On the other hand, some

characters are bad. More specifically, not only are these beings immoral but also selfish. Such

personalities are willing to compromise the well-being of others to achieve their personal

interests. As Madeleine L’Engle shows in her novel, “A Wrinkle in Time,” the agents and

forces of good and evil are always in conflict due to the disparities in views and interests. A

critical analysis of the novel “A Wrinkle In Time” shows that the author uses literary devices

such as symbolism, imagery, and allegory to depict the conflict between good and evil.

The overarching concept in L’ Egle’s novel is that despite the conflict, good and love

will always triumph over evil and hate. To illustrate this theme, the author depicts light

overcoming darkness. On the one hand, light represents transparency, visibility, knowledge,

and goodness. Some of the good characters include Meg, Mrs. Who, Mrs. WhatIs, and Mrs.

Which. On the other hand, evil is represented by darkness and by characters such as The IT

and the Black Thing, which appears as a totally dark man with red eyes. These characters that

are depicted by darkness represent obscurity and ignorance. More particular the Dark Thing

or the Black Thing is synonymous with a force of Evil.

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Symbolism

Symbolism is a literary device where the author uses a word, object, place, or person to

represent an abstract idea. Not only does symbolism enhance the reader’s understanding of

events but also suggest an emotion or mood to best fits the context. By using symbolism, an

author enriches a literary work with color and oomph. Admittedly, Madeleine L’Engle

manages to skillfully integrate symbolism in her novel “A Wrinkle in Time” to allude to the

conflict between good and evil. For instance, “The Black Thing” also popular as “The

Shadow.” The author uses the black shadow to represent the forces of evil that dominate

planet Camazotz. Although Earth’s nature is inherently good, the Black Thing is in the

process of spreading evil on the planet. L’ Engle describes the evil force as nothing but an

Intangible shadow. To rephrase, the author of “A Wrinkle in Time” uses the symbolism of a

black shadow to allude to the evil forces in the universe. The conflict between light and

darkness and good over evil is evident in Chapter 4 of the novel. When the author first

reveals the Black Thing, it casts a dark shadow on the light emitted by the stars. The three

Mrs. W’s were stars who died when they were fighting against the Black Thing.

Nonetheless, the three later, who represents good, defeat the Shadow, that represents evil

forces. The author states that the three even laugh in the dark while traversing in its

uncertainties.

Imagery

Imagery is the application of figurative language in literature to represent actions, actions,

objects and ideas such that it appears real in the mind of the reader. In her novel “A Wrinkle

in Time,” L’Engle uses detailed imagery to elicit the theme of good and evil as well as the

inherent conflict. In the first chapter, the author contrasts the conditions inside and outside

Meg’s house as if to allude to the distinct differences between the evil in the universe and the

good human nature inherent in people. Madeleine L’Engle writes that night as “dark and

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stormy night.” While it is dark and cold in the stormy weather, Murray’s kitchen is well-lit

and warm. Another example of imagery that depicts the conflict between good and evil is

when the author states that “The Crimson liquid spilled from the neck of the white dove,

staining and matting its pure white feathers" (L’Engle 12). Crimson, which is a thick dark

liquid is depicted to taint the pureness of the dove’s white feathers. Further, the author uses

imagery to show the power of light over darkness by stating that “The silver light from the

enormous moon poured over them, blending with the golden quality of the day, flowing over

the children, over Mrs. Whatsit over the mountain peak.” The text creates a clear image in the

human senses on how light or good overcame darkness or evil.

Allegory

Allegory is a literary device that has a greater meaning. In most cases, the author uses an

allegory so as to depict an abstract concept with a more corporeal object. Admittedly,

Madeleine L’ Engle incorporates numerous religious allegories in her novel “A Wrinkle in

Time” to highlight the notion of good over evil. For instance, Meg and Charles represent Eve

and Adam respectively. Notably, Charles requests Calvin to read for him a story in the book

of Genesis before walking in a garden and later eating apples. This is a religious allegory

showing that these characters are about to gain greater knowledge pertaining to good and

evil. Further, the three Mrs. Ws represent God’s guardians’ angels while the Black Thing also

has an agent of evil. “The silver light from the enormous moon poured over them, blending

with the golden quality of the day, flowing over the children, over Mrs. Whatsit over the

mountain peak (Engle 34).” A triumphant light, such as that following Jesus’ resurrection

shows that the good defeated evil at the long last.

In conclusion, Madeline L’Engle uses the symbolism to represent the conflict between

good and evil. A critical analysis of the novel’s characters and situations reveal that light is

used to indicate good while black is used to represent evil.

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Work Cited

L’Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle In Time. London: Scholastic Inc., 1997.

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