What are the symbols in Coraline?

Perhaps the most iconic symbol from Neil Gaiman's Coraline are the large, shiny black buttons which the other mother—and all the creatures she's created to populate her parallel world—wear instead of eyes.

Why did they use buttons in Coraline?

Coraline can't tell if her other parents are watching her and she can't get any clues through their eyes as to what they're thinking. Because we see so much through people's eyes, these buttons hide the humanness of the people wearing them (if they're even human at all), preventing us from really knowing a person.

What does the stone symbolize in Coraline?

The stone was sort of a protective amulet against evil magic. While Coraline has it, it keeps her from falling completely under the Other Mother's power, and at times the Other Mother seems to be repulsed by it.

What mental illness does Coraline have?

Coraline's behavior is consistent with a psychotic-dissociative cluster as evidenced by her experiencing an alternate universe as well as incorporating fixed beliefs. As these are critical parts of the plot, it is best to formulate Coraline's behavior along a psychotic-dissociative spectrum.

30 Things You Missed in Coraline (2009)

Why is Coraline's hair blue?

In the movie Coraline, when Coraline is getting ready to go to bed after not finding her parents there's an old photo that shows her with natural brown hair. This probably means she at one point dyed it to her iconic blue hair.

Why did the other mother sew buttons?

It is said that the eyes are the window to ones soul. So by the Other Mother taking the childrens eyes and sewing buttons there instead is a way for her to keep their souls with her and therefore trapped in the other world.

What do buttons over eyes mean?

That dates back to various reasons throughout history. The eyes keep the soul within, so coins (or buttons in this case) keep eyes closed until the soul is ready to leave. Coins had been placed on the eyes to bring into the afterlife upon burial, to pay the underworld for safekeeping.

Where does Coraline find the key?

Toward the end, Coraline has a tea party with some of her dolls, putting a tablecloth over the (opened) well and setting the key on the tablecloth. The Other Mother's hand grabbed the key, but in doing so fell down the well. The well was sealed and the hand trapped.

Is Coraline 2 coming out?

Due to Coraline's massive success in both the Academy and theatrical arena, it naturally made fans assume there would eventually be a sequel at some point. Unfortunately, it looks as though the likelihood of a sequel ever happening has been shut down by Gaiman.

Why does the Beldam want eyes?

The button eyes were the objects used by the beldam to tie one's soul to the other world.

Is the Beldam still alive?

So, Coraline didn't make it out of the Rat Beast limbo world. But she was able to get away from the Other Mother. Without Coraline, the beldam died.

Why does wybie tilt his head?

In response to sounds around him Wybie tilts his head to the side, giving the impression that he is constantly in a state of being startled, since most people do not react with so much motion to common sounds.

How was Nell the bent neck lady?

Standing on the ledge of the tall staircase, Nell is pushed by her mother's ghost, causing her to fall through time as a broken necked woman (THE BENT-NECK LADY), seeing herself from the opposite perspective as a child, during her husband's death, and when she bought drugs for Luke.

Who put the coins on Nells eyes?

According to Gugino, Olivia is also places the buttons over Nell's eyes while she's in her casket — an action that infuriates Shirley and the others. “Nell loved her buttons, and it's her way of making sure Nell is at peace,” Gugino added.

What is the Red room Hill House?

It was a toy room for the young and rambunctious Nell. A family room for the lonely Shirley. A treehouse when Luke needed to get away. It also effectively serves as a waystation between the living and the dead; it's where the house converts people into fuel.

Why does the other mother tap her eyes?

But when Coraline asks for a clue for her parents the other mother simply taps her button eye peculiarly. I think that is her hint, that the Beldam is trying to tell Coraline that she is Coraline's mother and she was the mother of all the other children too.

What was the accident in Coraline?

Either way, a car accident happened. The car that the Jones family owns sits out in the front driveway. It's seen a few times, such as when Coraline goes to get her pink flowered suitcase and when Coraline tries to look for her kidnapped parents.

Why did the other father help Coraline?

The Other Father is more fun and attentive to Coraline's needs than her real father (according to Coraline). It is hinted throughout the film that he is terrified of his creator, the Beldam, who wants him to hurt Coraline, which he does not want to do. The latter proves to be true in his final moments before he dies.

What does the end of Coraline mean?

The colourful world that Beldam created for Coraline was not real, it was just a sweet illusion to keep the young girl in the “Other World”. However, Coraline was smart enough to not fall for the trap. In the end, the girl realizes that her parents are not perfect, but at least, they are real.

Why does the other mother tap her fingers?

After Coraline had told her real mother it was the perfect time to go gardening in the rain (which she only said to have something to say), the other mother made her first mistake by suggesting to play in the rain. Coraline noticed her tapping her fingers on the table, which she had found rather awfully suspicious.