Student Question
What can you infer about the character IT in A Wrinkle in Time?
Quick answer:
IT is inferred to be a malevolent and authoritative force in A Wrinkle in Time, controlling the inhabitants of Camazotz through fear and uniformity. Before its true form is revealed as a disembodied brain, IT is seen as manipulative, reading minds and hypnotizing individuals to enforce conformity. IT represents a universal evil, obsessed with control and devoid of individuality, as evidenced by Camazotz's robotic, personality-lacking citizens.
Before Meg Murry finally confronts IT and discovers that IT is a disembodied brain that controls the thinking of all the people on Camazotz, there are pieces of evidence that suggest IT is a malevolent, authoritative force. When Meg, Charles, and Calvin initially arrive on the planet Camazotz, they discover that everyone is obsessed with uniformity and lives in a perpetual state of fear. The citizens of Camazotz also lack personality and behave like robots.
When Meg, Charles, and Calvin meet the man with red eyes, it becomes apparent that IT is controlling his thoughts and is a manipulative, authoritative force. IT controls others by reading their minds and hypnotizing them to share the same views. The audience can infer that IT is obsessed with conformity and control but does not anticipate that IT is a disembodied, pulsating brain. The audience also infers that IT is a powerful, manipulative force that desires complete uniformity throughout the planet and represents universal evil.
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