| Ghost Children | ||
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| Name: | Ghost Children | |
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| Species: | Ghost Human (previously) |
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| Gender | 1 male
2 female |
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| Affiliation: |
Pink Palace Apartments |
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| Ghosts: | Sweet Ghost Girl Tall Ghost Girl Ghost Boy |
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| Appearances: | Book and Film | |
The Ghost Children are the first victims who had given in to the Beldam's counterfeit happiness and later let her sew buttons in their eyes before they are later trapped behind the mirror in the other world.
Overview
In the film and similarly to the book, the ghost children were discovered by Coraline after being dragged by the other mother behind the mirror as a form of punishment. Their real names are never told, as they can no longer remember; except for the ghost boy who still remembered his real mother and the longing he felt for her.
Discovering about Coraline's determination on beating the Beldam, they asked for her help in finding their eyes; the only way for them to be finally be freed from the other world and to ascend to heaven. Coraline whole-heartedly accepted, and later proposed a game for the other mother, whereby the other mother hinted that the eyes can be found in "three wonders". As she discovered them one by one, each of the place of the other world crumbles and turns ashen and grey.
In turn for Coraline's help in finding their eyes, when the Beldam refused to let Coraline go even after winning the game, the ghost children helped her. Much later, in the real world after moving on, they appeared in Coraline's dream as angels and warned her that she was in danger for the Beldam wanted to steal the key Coraline.
Book
In the book, the Ghost Children were trapped behind the mirror; but unlike in the film, the space inside was much smaller and darker. The Ghost Children feared the Other Mother, whom they refer to as the Beldam, and they also explained what had happened to them. When Coraline asked them to come with her when the Beldam comes and lets her out, the Ghost children responded that they wished they could. Because the Beldam had their hearts in her keeping, the Ghost Children belonged in the dark and the empty places. According to them, the light would shrivel and burn them.
Physical Appearance
Film
The ghost children as angels.
The Ghost Chilren had buttons for eyes and almost translucent and pale form but clear enough to fully see and identify them and still have a face of general displeasure on their faces. After Coraline found their eyes and freed them through her dream, the Ghost Children appeared to be of shimmering gold with halos, beautiful wings and finally with their real eyes.
Book
It is not immediately said what their appearance looked like in book, which can be assumed that they were not clear enough to be noticeable. According to Coraline, after getting used to the darkness behind the mirror, the Ghost Children were "as faint and pale as the moon in the daytime sky." In the graphic picture in the book, the Ghost Children did not appear to have button for eyes.
Trivia
- In the film, Coraline described Mrs. Lovat's twin sister as the "Little Rascals Chick with all these ribbons and braids" (Sweet Ghost Girl), the boy "Huck Finn Junior" (Ghost Boy), and the last girl as the "Pioneer Girl" (Tall Ghost Girl). It is revealed during this scene that the Tall Ghost Girl was captured by the beldam first, the Ghost Boy was captured second, and the Sweet Ghost Girl was captured third. Coraline would have been the fourth.
Quotes
- "She spied on our lives through the little doll's eyes.
And saw that we weren't happy.
So she lured us away with treasures and treats,
and games to play, gave all that we asked.
Yet we still wanted more.
So we let her sew the buttons.
She said that she loved us. But she locked us here.
And ate up our lives."