Student Question
Why does Charles Wallace sing nursery rhymes when interrogated by the man with red eyes?
Quick answer:
Charles Wallace sings nursery rhymes during his interrogation by the man with red eyes to resist mind control. The man attempts to hypnotize him by speaking directly into his mind and reciting the multiplication tables. To counteract this, Charles Wallace disrupts the mental influence by shouting "Mary had a little lamb" and other nursery rhymes, while Calvin recites the Gettysburg Address and Meg calls out for her father.
This strange man is speaking directly into the minds of Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace rather than out loud. He is trying to control their minds and begins to say the multiplication tables to them. Rather than allowing his mind to follow along with the tables and become hypnotized, Charles Wallace begins to shout "Mary had a little lamb" and other nursery rhymes. Calvin begins to recite the Gettysburg address, and Meg screams out for her father.
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