Please answer. - What “dragons” do the characters in your story face? How do they respond to those troubles? - What themes do you notice based on the troubles your character is facing? Chapters 16-18.

The idea of having a name and being called properly by that name is an underlying theme in this novel. Coraline, the cat and Mr. Bobo are all characters who have name struggles in one way or another during the course of the story. Additionally, some characters are not even given names, indicating they really have no identity.

Coraline’s main issue with her name is that people don’t pronounce her name correctly. Although her name is Coraline, most people pronounce it like the more common Caroline. Coraline tells Miss Spink, Miss Forcible and Mr. Bobo how to correctly pronounce her name but they don’t seem to hear her or take the information seriously as they continue to pronounce her name wrong. One of the reasons that the other crazy old man upstairs gives Coraline for not going back to her world is that people will continue to pronounce her name incorrectly. Since this man is using the pronunciation of her name as a bargaining chip to keep Coraline in his world, it signifies that it must be an issue for Coraline.

The cat also has a name issue. His issue, however, is that he does not believe he needs a name. The cat argues that because he knows who he is, he doesn’t need a name. He accredits the human need for names to the idea they don’t have a firm identity. Coraline tells the cat that without a name, she couldn’t call the cat if she wanted it to come to her. The cat suggests that he can be called for an event, like dinner, simply by calling out “dinner” with no names needed. Even though the cat seems sure of itself in its desire not to be labeled with a name, Coraline can’t seem to wrap her head around the idea the animal doesn’t want a name.