Scribd
Upload
28 views2 pages

Chapter 7 Summary

In Chapter 7 of 'A Wrinkle in Time', Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin encounter the Man with Red Eyes in Central Central Intelligence on Camazotz, where they are confronted with mind control and authoritarianism. Charles Wallace, overconfident in his abilities, falls under the influence of the Man with Red Eyes, losing his individuality and becoming a tool of IT. The chapter ends with Meg feeling helpless as Charles leads them deeper into danger, raising the question of how she can save him.

Uploaded by

Asif Aman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
28 views2 pages

Chapter 7 Summary

In Chapter 7 of 'A Wrinkle in Time', Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin encounter the Man with Red Eyes in Central Central Intelligence on Camazotz, where they are confronted with mind control and authoritarianism. Charles Wallace, overconfident in his abilities, falls under the influence of the Man with Red Eyes, losing his individuality and becoming a tool of IT. The chapter ends with Meg feeling helpless as Charles leads them deeper into danger, raising the question of how she can save him.

Uploaded by

Asif Aman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Chapter 7 Summary: "The Man with Red Eyes" – A Wrinkle in Time

Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin step into Central Central Intelligence, the massive headquarters on the
planet Camazotz. The building is eerily silent, cold, and sterile, reinforcing the feeling that everything on
this planet is rigidly controlled. As they advance down a seemingly endless hallway, a door opens before
them, leading them into a vast chamber filled with columns.

Meeting the Man with Red Eyes

At the far end of the chamber, the children see a mysterious figure—a man dressed in a dark robe sitting
on a raised platform. His most striking and unsettling feature is his glowing red eyes, which seem to
penetrate their thoughts. He does not speak with his lips but rather communicates directly into their
minds.

• The Man with Red Eyes greets them, assuring them that Camazotz offers security and
happiness.

• He insists that by submitting to IT, the ultimate controlling force, they will be free of pain and
suffering.

• His voice is soothing but also deeply unsettling, as if he is trying to hypnotize them.

Charles Wallace, who possesses heightened intelligence and sensitivity, warns Meg and Calvin not to
trust him or listen to his words. He recognizes that the Man with Red Eyes is trying to invade their minds
and control them.

The Battle of Wills: Charles Wallace vs. The Man with Red Eyes

The Man with Red Eyes offers the children food, but as Meg and Calvin eat, they notice something
strange—it has flavor, but they can't tell if they are actually tasting it or if the taste is being projected
into their minds. This confirms the sinister mind control at work.

Confident in his strength, Charles Wallace decides to challenge the Man with Red Eyes. He attempts to
resist his telepathic influence while allowing him limited access to his mind. However, this proves to be
a grave mistake.

• The Man with Red Eyes takes control of Charles Wallace’s mind.

• Charles’s expression changes, and he begins speaking in a robotic, detached manner.

• He insists that the Man with Red Eyes is not evil, but rather a source of order and peace.

• Meg and Calvin desperately try to bring him back to reality, but he is completely possessed.

Charles Wallace’s Transformation

Now under IT’s influence, Charles Wallace becomes a mouthpiece for Camazotz’s ideology. He dismisses
Meg and Calvin’s concerns, telling them that resisting IT is futile and that they should embrace the
system.
This is a tragic moment for Meg, as Charles Wallace—her little brother who was once the smartest and
most independent of them—has become a tool of IT. His arrogance led him to believe he could resist,
but instead, he was the first to fall under control.

A Descent Into Greater Danger

As proof of his new loyalty, Charles Wallace offers to lead Meg and Calvin deeper into Central Central
Intelligence. He claims he will take them to the ultimate power behind Camazotz: IT itself.

The Man with Red Eyes allows them to leave, and Charles Wallace—now completely changed—guides
them deeper into the building. Meg is filled with fear and helplessness, knowing that she must find a
way to save him before it is too late.

Key Themes & Analysis

1. The Danger of Overconfidence – Charles Wallace, despite his intelligence, believes he is immune
to mind control. This arrogance leads to his downfall, showing that even the strongest minds
can be manipulated.

2. Mind Control and Loss of Free Will – The Man with Red Eyes represents authoritarian control.
Camazotz operates on the idea that conformity is better than individuality, making it a
dystopian society.

3. Love vs. Control – Meg and Calvin’s emotional resistance contrasts with Charles Wallace’s logical
approach. This suggests that love and human emotion may be the key to resisting IT.

Cliffhanger Ending

The chapter ends ominously as Charles Wallace, now under IT’s control, leads Meg and Calvin toward
an even greater threat. Meg feels helpless, knowing that her brother is no longer himself. The only
question that remains is: how can she save him?

What Happens Next?

The next chapter (Chapter 8: "The Transparent Column") follows Meg and Calvin as they try to figure
out how to save Charles Wallace while uncovering the terrifying power of IT.

You might also like