Chapter 12 Summary
When Meg sees Mrs. Whatsit, she runs to the woman’s arms—but before reaching her, Meg realizes Mrs. Whatsit is only partially physical. Mrs. Whatsit explains that they hurried there when they heard themselves being called. She asks what it is they want.
Meg informs Mrs. Whatsit that they need to rescue Charles Wallace. Mrs. Whatsit reminds Meg that there is nothing she can do. The three women cannot interfere; it is not their way. At this, Mr. Murry steps forward and asks if the women can teach him to tesser more efficiently so he can go back and get Charles Wallace. The women state that this would not work. They are sure Mr. Murry would not be successful. For this reason, the women cannot allow Mr. Murry to go back to Camazotz.
Calvin jumps up to insist that he be the one to go. Calvin informs the women that he was almost able to pull Charles Wallace out of the trance. Calvin is sure he is the one who would most likely affect Charles Wallace and bring him back. At this suggestion, Mrs. Whatsit shakes her head. She tells Calvin that Charles Wallace is now even deeper into IT. If Calvin were to probe Charles Wallace mentally now, IT would surely trap Calvin, too.
Meg becomes angry. She shouts that she cannot be the one to go. She tells Mrs. Which that she knows they want her to go, but she just cannot do it. Then Meg begins to cry. Deep down, Meg knows she is the only one who can save Charles Wallace. She knows him the best. Charles Wallace also knows her better than he knows Calvin or their father, who has been absent during much of the young boy’s life. Meg is the only one who should go.
After saying good-bye to the others, Meg prepares herself to tesser to Camazotz. Although Mrs. Which cannot go with her, she will be the one in charge of transporting Meg to the other planet. Before Meg leaves, Mrs. Whatsit gives Meg her love. To help Meg, Mrs. Which tells her that she has something IT does not have. If Meg can figure out what that is, she will defeat IT.
Suddenly Meg is back on Camazotz. She is cold again. She walks through the town as she did before and goes directly to the CENTRAL Central Intelligence Building, where she knows she will find IT. As she nears, she feels the power of IT pulling on her. She concentrates on what Mrs. Which told her and wonders what she has that IT does not have.
When Meg first sees Charles Wallace, she becomes angry. IT still has control of her brother, which makes Charles Wallace seem alien to her. This is what angers her, and at first Meg thinks her anger is what she has that IT does not have. She tries to increase her anger, thinking this will stop IT from controlling her. But then she realizes that anger is negative and IT is all about negativity—anger cannot be the answer. She looks at her brother again. She remembers Charles Wallace as he used to be. This inspires her love for him, and then she understands. She has love for her brother. Love is something IT does not understand. Meg concentrates on how much she loves Charles Wallace. She calls to the young boy through her love. And finally Charles Wallace responds. He is able to break free from IT, and he runs into his sister’s arms.
Before she fully comprehends what is happening, Meg is whisked back home. She rematerializes in her own backyard. Every member of her family is there. Everyone is happy.
Expert Q&A
Why is Mrs. Who's quote in chapter 12 of A Wrinkle in Time relevant to Meg, IT, and the concept of good and evil?
Mrs. Who's quote from 1 Corinthians 1:25-28 highlights the paradox of divine wisdom and strength being found in what appears weak or foolish. This is relevant to Meg, IT, and the theme of good versus evil as it underscores the power of love, a "foolish" force, to overcome the oppressive might of IT. Meg defeats IT by embracing love, illustrating how seemingly weak qualities can triumph over evil's might.
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