66 pages • 2 hours read
T. KingfisherA Sorceress Comes to Call
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2024A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
Finding Agency in Abusive Situations
Kingfisher explores the theme of finding agency in abusive situations by portraying how Cordelia gradually gains control over her circumstances through connections with others. Raised under her mother Evangeline’s oppressive rule, Cordelia initially feels isolated and powerless, but through the relationships she forms with allies like Hester and Penelope, she begins to assert her will and resist manipulation.
Cordelia’s journey toward agency begins with her developing a bond with Hester. Early in the narrative, Cordelia lacks both autonomy and a sense of self. Evangeline’s obedience spell symbolizes the emotional and psychological control often exerted in abusive situations, stripping Cordelia of her freedom. However, Cordelia’s connection with Hester becomes a turning point in her ability to resist this control. Hester’s willingness to listen and offer support provides Cordelia with validation and a sense of security. This relationship is crucial, as illustrated by the quote, “Hester understood. Hester might even believe her. She wasn’t completely alone” (165). The realization that she has someone on her side empowers Cordelia to start voicing her concerns and taking small, yet meaningful, actions against her mother’s authority.
In addition to Hester, the presence of Penelope’s ghost introduces a form of solidarity that transcends the physical world. While Evangeline represents exploitation and isolation, Penelope symbolizes resilience and the potential for defiance. When Penelope communicates with Cordelia, she not only acknowledges the ongoing danger but also offers advice and encouragement. This spectral connection strengthens Cordelia’s resolve and gives her the courage to question her mother’s actions. As the narrative progresses, Cordelia’s conversations with Penelope reinforce her growing belief that resisting her mother is possible, despite the risks involved.
The narrative also highlights the importance of finding allies in the struggle for agency. The collaborative efforts of Hester, Richard, Imogene, and Tom play a significant role in challenging Evangeline’s control. Cordelia’s willingness to trust these individuals and reveal her mother’s sorcery marks a crucial step in reclaiming her autonomy. By the end of the novel, Cordelia’s newfound agency is a result of not only her inner resilience but also the alliances she forms. These relationships provide Cordelia with both emotional and practical support, reinforcing the idea that agency can be found through connection and mutual trust.
Ultimately, Kingfisher’s portrayal of Cordelia’s journey underscores the notion that finding agency in abusive situations often requires both internal courage and external support. Cordelia’s alliances with Hester, Penelope, and the others allow her to slowly dismantle the walls of control built around her by Evangeline. The narrative suggests that the path to reclaiming one’s autonomy is not traveled alone but is made possible through genuine connections and a willingness to trust others.
The Search for Identity
Kingfisher explores Cordelia’s search for identity in the face of her mother Evangeline’s oppressive control. Lacking a healthy relationship with her mother, Cordelia’s journey centers on discovering her own values and sense of self, apart from the manipulation and strict expectations imposed upon her. At the heart of this struggle is Cordelia’s realization of her loyalty to others and the courage to resist her mother’s domination.
At the beginning of the novel, Cordelia’s identity is entirely shaped by Evangeline’s control. She is not allowed to close doors, express emotions, or keep secrets, leading her to view herself solely as a passive extension of her mother’s will. However, this changes as Cordelia forms new bonds and gradually realizes that she is more than a tool of her mother’s schemes. Her growing relationships with Hester and Penelope’s ghost become crucial turning points. Through these connections, Cordelia gains not just companionship but also a clearer sense of what she values and who she wants to be.
Cordelia’s emerging identity is marked by her increasing sense of loyalty and moral integrity, even in the face of danger. Her friendship with Hester and her interactions with Penelope reveal that loyalty and courage are core parts of her character. This is highlighted when she learns that Ellen, her former friend, is still alive: “Even though the dead were still dead and it probably shouldn’t matter whether she knew them or not, it clearly did matter. Very much” (184). This moment underscores Cordelia’s recognition of the importance of genuine connections and her commitment to making things right with those she cares about.
In her search for identity, Cordelia discovers that loyalty is not just a passive trait but a source of strength. Her loyalty empowers her to take risks, defy her mother’s control, and act on her principles. Whether it’s standing up for Bernard against Falada, risking Evangeline’s wrath to confide in Hester, or holding onto Penelope’s memory, Cordelia’s actions show her determination to protect those she values. Her loyalty to Hester and Penelope becomes a motivating force in her decision-making and a key aspect of her evolving identity.
Cordelia’s journey suggests that finding identity in the face of oppressive forces involves more than resisting control—it requires discovering and embracing one’s own values and principles. Kingfisher portrays Cordelia’s growth not merely through her defiance but also through her active choices to remain loyal, even when doing so puts her at risk. By asserting her independence and recognizing the strength in her loyalty, Cordelia gradually reclaims her narrative and emerges from her mother’s shadow.
Challenging Traditional Roles and Expectations
Kingfisher uses the characters to challenge traditional societal roles and expectations, presenting figures who defy gender norms, subvert power dynamics, and redefine their relationships to authority and agency. Evangeline, the novel’s antagonist, subverts traditional female roles by seizing power through magic and manipulation. She is not confined to the passive role expected of women; instead, she actively pursues wealth and control, even if it means using dark means to achieve her ends. Evangeline’s actions are driven by strategic ambitions rather than emotions or traditional maternal instincts. She is ruthless in eliminating threats, manipulating Cordelia and others without remorse and even contemplating murder as a necessary path to secure her goals. Evangeline’s willingness to sacrifice others for her gain sharply contrasts with selfless characters like Penelope, establishing a complex critique of power and ambition beyond traditional gender lines.
Penelope, on the other hand, represents a challenge to traditional roles through her resilience and confidence. Despite being scarred by smallpox, she refuses to be seen as diminished or marginalized. Penelope embraces her appearance and leverages it to her advantage, highlighting the superficiality of societal beauty standards. Furthermore, her opposition to Evangeline, even in death, is an act of defiance that rejects the traditional expectation of passive femininity. By using her ghostly presence to warn and assist Cordelia, Penelope becomes a powerful, albeit unconventional, ally against Evangeline’s machinations.
Imogene also defies traditional gender expectations, especially in her willingness to consider drastic measures like killing Evangeline. Her pragmatism in the face of danger challenges the notion that women should be passive or deferential in moments of crisis. Imogene takes on a decisive role, expressing a readiness to eliminate threats by any means necessary, revealing a layer of complexity and moral ambiguity in her character.
Hester’s character arc challenges traditional expectations of women as well, especially in terms of marriage and independence. Although she loves Richard, she chooses not to marry him, valuing her autonomy over societal norms. Hester’s rejection of marriage is not a sign of fear but a recognition of her own needs and limitations. Her roles as a protector of Cordelia and a strategic leader within the group contrast with Evangeline’s manipulation and control, offering an alternative model of female strength and authority. Richard’s character subverts traditional gender roles since he is not the primary leader or protector within the group. His failed attempts to defend Cordelia and Hester highlight his vulnerability and the group’s reliance on collective action rather than a singular, authoritative male figure. Richard’s willingness to take on a supporting role, offering guidance and resources while letting others lead, challenges the expectation that men must dominate in moments of crisis.
By presenting a cast of characters who defy traditional roles and expectations in nuanced ways, Kingfisher explores themes of power, autonomy, and resilience. Each character’s journey reflects different strategies for navigating and challenging societal norms, creating a complex and layered narrative about agency and resistance.
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