JOURNEY

        Meg Murry’s journey begins at home where she is unhappy: no one likes her except for her family, she is in the lowest section in her grade, and her father is never home due to a mission at work. However, her life changes shortly after a surprise visit from a stranger in the middle of a dark and stormy night. The unearthly stranger, later known as Mrs. Whatsit, explains that she got blown off course and requires shelter, and, much to Meg’s disapproval, her mother allows her to stay. Meg soon discovers that the woman is an acquaintance of her favourite brother, Charles Wallace, which forces her to visit Mrs. Whatsit the next morning with him.

        While heading off to Mrs. Whatsit’s house, she befriends a boy named Calvin, along with two other people who become her mentors along with Mrs. Whatsit: Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which. They are witch-like characters with mystical powers. Claiming that they knew where her father was, they urge the group of children to go on a quest with them and although she feels uneasy, the women continue with their plans.

        They first “tesser” or wrinkle in time to a planet called Uriel, a utopia filled with many majestic, Centaur-like beings and beautiful scenery. The purpose of doing so was to take a rest from tessering, for the process takes a lot of effort. However, there is a more significant reason behind this action: it is to emphasize what they intend on showing the children next—the Dark Thing.

        The Dark Thing is described as a dark, evil force that is taking over the universe. The sight of it causes the children to be afraid and lose their hope. However, Meg quickly regains her confidence after encountering a happy medium. Showing the children the devastating impacts of the Dark Thing on her own planet and the unhappiness of their mothers, Meg gets infuriated and is compelled to take action.

        They finally tesser to a dark planet called Camazotz where Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which can no longer help the children. However, they leave them with “gifts”. For Charles Wallace, they give him the resilience of his childhood. For Calvin, they strengthen his ability to communicate with others. As for Meg, she receives her faults. Although this greatly upsets her, they proceed with their journey and encounter another antagonist called IT.

        IT is a dismantled brain with the most power on the planet Camazotz, controlling everyone who inhabits it. IT also controls a relatively weaker antagonist called the Man with Red Eyes who then takes control of Charles Wallace. During the remainder of her journey she rescues her father and brother by herself while using her faults (e.g., stubbornness) to resist being controlled by IT. At this moment she realizes that she cannot always rely on others to take action; thus, she resurrects as a better person by rescuing them. They return home by tessering and she is rewarded with a sense of belongingness and love, along with her missing father.