Jessie Taylor
A Candle in Her Room is a 1966 children's book written by Ruth M. Arthur, illustrated by Margery Gill, and published by Atheneum Books. The book explores the effect of a bewitched doll, Dido, on three generations of young women. The doll is discovered in the attic of a seaside mansion and affects the actions of the women until one is finally able to break the spell and destroy it. The book explores themes of family love across generations, good vs. evil, alienation, art, music, and dancing. The story is narrated by three characters, with the first section narrated by Melissa, whose family moves from London to Pembrokeshire, Wales, before World War I. The subsequent sections are narrated by Dilys, Judith and Carew's daughter, and Nina, who comes to live with Melissa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title | A Candle in Her Room |
| Author | Ruth M. Arthur |
| Illustrator | Margery Gill |
| Publisher | Atheneum Books |
| Year Published | 1966 |
| Genre | Horror, Fantasy, Children's Literature |
| Setting | Pembrokeshire, Wales |
| Themes | Love, Family, Good vs. Evil, Magic, Multi-generational Saga |
| Narrators | Melissa, Dilys, Nina |
| Notable Characters | Melissa Mansell, Judith, Briony, Dilys, Nina, Dido (a wooden doll) |
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What You'll Learn
A haunted doll named Dido
Dido is described as being very old, with a face that is a "curious mixture—wise, sly, and enigmatic." Her black hair and features are carved in great detail, and she is dressed in a simple layer when first discovered. Judith, one of the novel's central characters, creates an extensive wardrobe for Dido, including velvet dresses and lace undergarments. Judith, an artist, also paints Dido frequently, capturing her in rich and brilliant colours.
Dido is a powerful and ancient doll, with a mysterious and malignant presence. Her origins are never fully explained, but her name is carved into her back, and she is held together with pegs. She brings disaster and tragedy to those she encounters, and her purpose is to create suffering and sow division.
The novel follows Melissa, Judith, and Briony Mansell, three sisters who move with their family to a mansion called Old Court in Pembrokeshire, Wales, before World War I. Briony discovers the doll in the attic, but it is Judith who becomes almost possessed by it, acting secretively and moodily, and eventually running off with Melissa's boyfriend, Carew.
The subsequent sections of the novel are narrated by Dilys, Judith and Carew's daughter, and Nina, who comes to live with Melissa at Old Court. Dilys learns of Dido's power from her Aunt Liss (Melissa) and is repulsed by the doll. Nina, however, is drawn to Dido's power and realises the doll's influence on Judith. When Dido threatens Melissa, Nina intervenes, building a bonfire on the beach and throwing the doll into the flames, finally breaking the spell.
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Three generations of women
"A Candle in Her Room" is a 1966 children's book by Ruth M. Arthur, exploring the impact of a bewitched doll on three generations of women in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The story centres around the mysterious and malevolent doll, Dido, who is discovered in the attic of a seaside mansion. Each time Dido surfaces, she brings disaster and tragedy to the family.
The first narrator, Melissa Mansell, introduces us to the doll and its sinister influence. Melissa has two younger sisters, Judith and Briony, and it is Briony who first finds Dido in the Old Loft of the Old Court. However, it is Judith, the artistic and sophisticated sister, who becomes almost possessed by the doll. Melissa's life takes a tragic turn when she falls off a cliff and is confined to a wheelchair. In a cruel twist, Judith runs off with Melissa's boyfriend, Carew, and they marry in London.
The second narrator is Dilys, Judith and Carew's daughter. Dilys's story unfolds during World War II, as she joins the Polish underground resistance movement. Dilys's mother, Judith, dies of pneumonia, leaving Dilys's young cousin, Emmy Lee, in Melissa's care. Together, Melissa and Emmy Lee desperately search for Dido, fearing the doll's power. However, they are unable to find her, and the doll's hold on the family persists.
The final narrator is Nina, who comes to live with Melissa at the Old Court. Nina is Dilys's daughter, completing the trilogy of generations haunted by Dido. Nina ultimately breaks the spell and destroys the doll, freeing her family from its grasp.
"A Candle in Her Room" is a captivating tale that blends fantasy with horror, exploring themes of family love, generational bonds, and the enduring battle between good and evil. The book has left an enduring impression on readers, with some recalling its chilling impact from their childhood and others discovering it as adults, finding it equally enjoyable.
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The power of love over evil
"A Candle in Her Room", written by Ruth M. Arthur, is a book that explores the power of love in overcoming evil. The story is set in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and revolves around a bewitched doll, Dido, that affects the lives of three generations of young women in a family. Each time Dido surfaces, she brings disaster and tragedy to the family. The doll is described as ancient, powerful, and malevolent, with the ability to possess those who come into contact with her.
The first section of the book is narrated by Melissa, who is confident that Dido is the source of the evil that has plagued her family repeatedly. Melissa's sister, Judith, becomes almost possessed by the doll, leading to a series of unfortunate events. Despite the dark presence of Dido, the book also showcases the power of love and family bonds across generations. This is evident in the relationship between Melissa and her sister, Dilys, who is introduced in the second section as the narrator. Dilys joins the Polish underground resistance movement during World War II, and Melissa tirelessly searches for her long-lost niece.
The theme of love's triumph over evil is further explored in the third section, narrated by Nina, who comes to live with Melissa. Nina ultimately destroys Dido, freeing her family from the doll's hold. This act of destruction symbolizes the power of love and determination in overcoming even the most formidable evils. The book also highlights the contrasting themes of war, cruelty, madness, alienation, and the delicate balance between good and evil.
"A Candle in Her Room" has left a lasting impression on readers, with some recalling their fear and fascination with the story as children. The book's ability to evoke such strong emotions speaks to the author's skill in crafting a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of good versus evil and the resilience of love across generations. The book has been praised for its delicate storytelling, intricate characters, and evocative setting, solidifying its place as a memorable work of children's literature.
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The effect of black magic
A Candle in Her Room, written by Ruth M. Arthur, is a book that explores the effects of black magic through the presence of a bewitched doll, Dido, that affects the lives of three generations of young women. Black magic, often associated with invoking demons and evil spirits, is usually considered distinct from white magic, which seeks to achieve closeness with spiritual beings. However, the line between the two can be blurry, and the effects of black magic can be profound and far-reaching.
The doll Dido in the novel is described as an ancient, powerful, and malevolent force, causing disaster and tragedy wherever she appears. She is said to be an instrument of revenge, sowing division and creating suffering. The characters in the novel experience the malignant spread of evil, and one character, Judith, even becomes almost possessed by the doll, leading to drastic changes in her life.
The effects of black magic in the novel are not limited to the supernatural. The characters' psychological states and relationships are also impacted. Melissa, one of the narrators, is affected by her lifelong connection to the doll, and her family experiences tragedy and upheaval. The novel explores how black magic can influence behaviour and decision-making, leading to unexpected consequences and a sense of foreboding.
Additionally, the novel touches on the intergenerational impact of black magic. The doll Dido is discovered in the attic of a seaside mansion, and her influence is felt by the narrator Melissa, her sister Judith, and Dilys, the daughter of Judith and her husband, Carew. Dilys, too, joins the Polish underground resistance movement, and her child is also affected by the doll's presence. The novel demonstrates how the effects of black magic can reverberate through families, affecting different generations in complex ways.
Overall, the novel "A Candle in Her Room" provides a compelling exploration of the effects of black magic, demonstrating how it can impact individuals, families, and society. The doll Dido serves as a powerful symbol of the destructive and insidious nature of black magic, and the novel effectively conveys a sense of foreboding and unease that lingers even after the spell is broken.
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The nature of time and memory
The novel "A Candle in Her Room" by Ruth M. Arthur explores the complex nature of time and memory through its multi-generational narrative structure and its portrayal of the enduring impact of a bewitched doll, Dido, on a family.
The story is told from the perspectives of three narrators across different time periods, highlighting the flow of generations and the persistence of memory. The first narrator, Melissa, sets the stage by introducing the wooden doll, Dido, who is brought into the family home before World War I. The subsequent narrators, Dilys and Nina, continue the story, with Dilys's narrative taking place during World War II and its aftermath, and Nina's narrative bringing the story to its conclusion.
The doll, Dido, is a powerful symbol of the enduring nature of memory and the impact of past events on the present. Each time Dido surfaces, she brings disaster and tragedy, affecting three generations of young women in the family. The character of Melissa, for example, is haunted by visions of a child in her room, which gives her new hope. As the story progresses, Melissa sees the child growing older, and eventually, the child begins to interact with her. This theme of enduring memories and their impact on the present is further emphasized by the artistic sister, Judith, who becomes almost possessed by Dido and expresses her obsession through paintings of the doll in rich and brilliant colours.
The novel's exploration of time and memory is also evident in the way it portrays the contrasting experiences of the characters across different generations. While the narrators may differ in their personal experiences and perspectives, the presence of Dido and the underlying themes of good vs. evil, love, family, and the dimensions of reality unite their stories. The novel's structure, with its shifting timelines and interconnected narratives, reflects the complex ways in which time and memory interact, shaping the characters' lives in unexpected ways.
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Frequently asked questions
The book is about a bewitched doll that affects the lives of three generations of young women until one of them breaks the spell and destroys it.
"A Candle in Her Room" was written by Ruth M. Arthur and illustrated by Margery Gill.
The book has received several positive reviews, with readers praising its ability to convey a sense of foreboding and creepiness. One review on Goodreads states that it is "writing—and storytelling—at its best". Another review on Amazon mentions that the book "terrified me as a child".
