Lecture Notes on "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness

Introduction and Author's Note

• Author: Patrick Ness
• Original Idea: Siobhan Dowd
• Illustrator: Jim Kay
• Context: Ness was inspired by Dowd’s idea but chose to write in his own voice.
  • Dowd had character ideas, a premise, and a beginning.
  • Ness aimed to write a book Dowd would have liked.

Plot Overview

• Conor O'Malley, a 13-year-old, experiences a recurring nightmare.
• The Monster: A yew tree that transforms into a monstrous figure appears to him at night.
• Conor's Life: His mother is ill, his father is distant, and he struggles with bullying at school.
• Recurring Themes: Dreams, truth, fear, and confronting one’s inner turmoil.

Significant Events

A Monster Calls

• Conor hears his name being called by a monstrous voice.
• The monster appears as a yew tree outside his window, claiming to have come for Conor.
• Conor is unafraid, expressing disappointment because the monster isn't what he expected.

Breakfast and Family Dynamics

• Conor’s routine: Makes breakfast, cares for himself due to his mother’s illness.
• Relationship with Mother: Close, supportive but strained by her illness.
• Grandmother: Controlling, concerned about Conor’s future after his mother.

School and Bullying

• Harry and Cronies: Bullying Conor; Harry notices Conor after he begins having nightmares.
• Lily: A friend who tries to defend Conor but causes tension by telling others about his mother.

The Monster's Stories

• First Tale: A story of a prince and a witch; highlights moral complexities.
• Second Tale: An apothecary and a parson; explores themes of belief and hypocrisy.
• Third Tale: An invisible man who becomes visible when he calls for a monster.

Personal Struggles

• Conor's Anger: Builds up due to his mother’s illness and the bullying.
• Destruction Episode: Conor destroys his grandmother’s sitting room in a fit of rage.

Themes and Analysis

Truth and Acceptance

• The central theme is Conor's struggle to accept the truth about his mother's terminal illness.
• The monster’s purpose: To help Conor face and express this truth.

Storytelling as Healing

• The monster’s tales illustrate that stories are complex and can convey deeper truths.
• Conor’s journey involves understanding that his emotions, including anger, are valid.

Family and Support

• Conor's relationships with his mother, grandmother, and estranged father highlight different forms of love and support.

Climax and Resolution

• The Fourth Tale: Conor’s nightmare of losing his mother; represents his deepest fears.
• Conor must tell his truth: His wish for the pain to end and his conflicted feelings about his mother’s illness.
• Conclusion: Conor learns to accept his emotions and find peace in letting go.

Overall Impact

• "A Monster Calls" addresses complex themes of grief, acceptance, and the power of storytelling, making it a profound exploration of human emotions.

Note: The novel's use of fantasy elements serves as a metaphor for Conor's internal struggles, providing a nuanced look at a child’s experience with loss and healing.