Coraline: Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

The next day the rain has stopped and a dense white mist has taken its place. Coraline puts on her raincoat and boots and goes out for a walk. Out in the yard she runs into Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, who are walking their dogs. The women tell Coraline more about their illustrious former acting careers, but Coraline, bored with their stories, wanders off as soon as she gets a chance.

The fog is thick, and Coraline finds herself walking in circles—she soon arrives back at the house, where she encounters the crazy old man from upstairs. He tells her that his mice don’t enjoy the fog—but they do have a message for Coraline. The crazy old man tells Coraline his mice have asked him to tell her: “Don’t go through the door.” The man asks Coraline if the message means anything to her, and she says it doesn’t.

Coraline goes inside and tells her mother that she’s grown bored again. Her mother laments that there is still a whole week left until the summer holidays are over and Coraline’s school year begins, then suggests that Coraline busy herself by making some artwork. Coraline quickly gets bored of drawing. She checks the door in the drawing room again and finds that it is locked. She goes to visit her father in his study, but he is too busy writing to talk or play with her.

Coraline goes down to Miss Spink and Miss Forcible’s flat and rings the doorbell. They invite her in for tea. The women are discussing how much they miss life on the stage and brainstorming roles they could play in their old age. When Coraline finishes her tea, Miss Spink offers to read the leaves for her—but as she looks into Coraline’s cup, her face changes. Miss Spink tells Coraline that she is in “terrible danger.” Miss Forcible double-checks the leaves and agrees with Miss Spink. They warn Coraline to be careful, and Miss Spink gives Coraline a little talisman—a smooth stone with a small hole in it. As Coraline heads back to her own flat, she thinks to herself that the idea of being in danger sounds a little bit exciting.