Comparison of Coraline

Amy Xu

Esl period 1

13/05/2015

        Coraline is a book published by Neil Gaiman in 2002 and it is made into movie in 2009. Comparing the movie with the book, there are some obvious differences between the book and movie, such as the doll, the character named Wybie, and the ending etc.

        The first difference of the movie and book is the doll. In the beginning of the movie, a doll look like Coraline is made by the other mother so that the other mother could spy on Coraline through the button eyes on the doll. However, the book doesn’t mention a doll. The appearance of the doll is better for the story, because it can make the story make sense. At the climax of the movie, a doll that is identical to Coraline’s parents, and this can explain how does the other mother attract and kidnap her parents. Therefore, it is better to have a doll in the story.

        The second difference between the movie and book is a character named Wybie. This boy named Wybie doesn’t present in the book but appear in the movie. In the movie, Wybie acts as a companion of Coraline. Because there are some thoughts in Coraline’s mind that can show the reader on the paper, but it can’t show in a movie if she just stay alone. So in the movie, it needs someone to talk with her to show what she is thinking about. Therefore, it is necessary for Wybie to present in the movie, but it is not in the book. Thus this character is not very important in the story.

        The third difference is ending. In the book, Coraline uses her own strength to cope with the hand of the other mother. She plans and makes a trap for the hand and let the hand fall down into the well eventually. But in the movie, Coraline doesn’t fight the hand on her own, and it is Wybie that destroys the hand. The ending of the book is much better, because that ending can reveal the wisdom and courage of Coraline, but the movie can’t. So the ending of the book is better.

        The movie is not completely identical to the book, but most of the differences do not alter the plot very much. The doll in the movie can help the story to make sense and appeal to audience. Then the present of Wybie that can show the idea in Coraline’s mind, so the movie needs Wybie. The last one, the ending of the movie is so different from the original one. It is possible that the movie wants to illustrate a kind of friendship. Even though the movie is not as detailed as the original book, it is also attractive.