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The Second Tale
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in A Monster Calls, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Death, Denial, and Acceptance
Storytelling
Isolation
Family and Growing Up
Summary
Analysis
Conor is stunned that the monster destroyed the parson’s house, because he believes that the Apothecary is the bad guy. The monster challenges him, noting that the Apothecary was a healer and the parson should have given the yew tree to the Apothecary when first asked. The monster goes on, saying that the parson refused to believe in the Apothecary when times were easy, but threw aside his beliefs “when the going grew tough.” He didn’t actually believe in the Apothecary’s methods, and “belief is half of all healing.”
The monster’s second tale, just like the first, avoids a clear moral lesson and highlights the complexities of human nature. Even though the Apothecary was mean and the parson was well-intentioned, the parson’s lack of a strong moral compass and his inability to stand up for his beliefs is what prompted the monster to punish him.
Themes
Conor is angry that the monster’s story had tricks again. He watches as the monster’s mist shows the monster destroying the parson’s house. The monster asks if Conor wants to join in the destruction. Conor agrees, and directs the monster to knock over the fireplace, to throw out the beds, and then to “TEAR THE WHOLE THING DOWN.”
In this moment, the line between story and reality starts to blur, as it’s unclear if Conor is acting within the confines of the monster’s story or in the real-life world of his grandmother’s house. Just like at the end of the chapter “Americans Don’t Get Much Holiday,” Conor’s pent up rage is unleashed, reinforcing the idea that denying one’s pain and suffering only leads to repressed anger that bubbles up dangerously.
Themes
Conor then joins in the wrecking, “disappearing into the frenzy of destruction.” Conor screams and smashes until he falls down in exhaustion. The monster commends him on destruction “properly done.” Conor is suddenly back in his grandmother’s sitting room—and he has destroyed nearly every inch of it.
The monster, in a sense, becomes a metaphor for Conor’s denial and anger. The more that Conor denies what is happening with his mother, the more “monstrously” he acts.
Themes
