Chapter: 03. The Witches
Literary Appreciation: A Glimpse into Dahl’s Dark Whimsy
This extract from Roald Dahl’s The Witches is a brilliant example of how a master storyteller can weave together tragedy, comfort, and creeping horror. Dahl excels at presenting extraordinary events from a child’s perspective, making the unbelievable feel chillingly real. The narrative device of the grandmother recounting these tales not only provides a powerful, ancient voice of wisdom (and warning) but also creates a cozy, yet increasingly sinister, atmosphere. The vivid descriptions—from the icy Norwegian landscape to the strange transformations of the children—spark the imagination while simultaneously instilling a sense of unease. It’s a masterful blend of the fantastical and the truly frightening, reminding us that danger can often lurk disguised in the most ordinary of ways.
Summary of “The Witches” Extract
The chapter opens with a tragic event: the eight-year-old narrator’s parents are killed in a car accident in icy Norway. The boy goes to live with his Norwegian grandmother in Oslo, who vows to care for him. To help them both cope with their grief, the grandmother begins telling him stories, quickly moving to the subject of witches, on which she claims to be an expert. She insists that witches are real, still active, and incredibly dangerous. Despite the boy’s initial skepticism, she tells him five terrifying tales of children who disappeared or were horrifyingly transformed by witches: Ranghild Hansen, who was led away by a “tall lady in white gloves”; Solveg Christiansen, who was given an apple and then appeared permanently trapped inside an oil painting; Birgit Svenson, who grew feathers and turned into a chicken; Harald, who turned to solid granite; and Leif, who dove into a fjord and emerged as a porpoise. The grandmother explains that such incidents are common in Norway due to the prevalence of witches, ending the conversation with a final, comforting but unsettling reassurance that witches don’t break into houses.
A Detailed Explanation of Each Scene
Let’s explore this chilling tale scene by scene, paying close attention to the details that make it so memorable and a little bit spooky!
A Tragic Beginning (The Accident) What happens: The story begins with the narrator, an eight-year-old boy, traveling with his parents in Norway after Christmas. Their car skids on icy roads near Oslo, tumbles into a ravine, and both parents are killed. The boy, firmly strapped in, survives with only a cut. Why it’s important: This scene sets a somber, emotional tone. It establishes the narrator’s vulnerability and why he comes to live with his grandmother. It also firmly places the story in a specific, cold, and slightly dangerous Norwegian setting. Imagine how scary and sad it would be to suddenly lose your parents! A New Home and Comforting Stories What happens: The grandmother immediately takes the boy in, comforting him through their shared grief. To help them both forget their sadness, she begins telling him stories. The boy finds her a “wonderful storyteller” and is “enthralled” (deeply interested) by her tales, especially when she starts talking about witches, a subject she knows a lot about. Why it’s important: This shows the strong bond between the boy and his grandmother. Storytelling becomes a way to heal and connect, but it soon veers into a much darker territory. It also introduces the central conflict: the existence of witches. The Reality of Witches (Grandmother’s Warning) What happens: The grandmother insists that everything she tells him about witches is true and that they are “still with us,” lurking “all around us.” She urges him to listen carefully and remember everything, as his safety depends on it. They are in the living room, and outside, huge snowflakes fall into a “pitch dark” world. The grandmother is described as “tremendously old and wrinkled,” and the boy is crouched at her feet, ready for bed. Why it’s important: This scene ratchets up the tension. The grandmother’s conviction makes the witches feel very real. The description of the dark, snowy night outside creates a perfect, eerie backdrop for these unsettling stories. It’s a cozy setting turned creepy! Ranghild Hansen: The Vanishing Act What happens: The grandmother recounts the first disappearance: Ranghild Hansen, an eight-year-old girl, playing on the lawn. Her little sister says a “tall lady in white gloves” took Ranghild by the hand and led her away. Ranghild was never seen again. Why it’s important: This is the first concrete example of a witch’s power. The “tall lady in white gloves” is a chilling detail – seemingly polite, but utterly sinister. It highlights how witches can appear harmless and blend in. Solveg Christiansen: Trapped in a Painting What happens: The second story involves Solveg Christiansen. She comes home eating an apple given to her by a “nice lady.” The next morning, she’s gone from her bed but is found inside an old oil painting in their living room, feeding ducks. She had become “simply a part of the painting.” Why it’s important: This is a particularly peculiar and disturbing transformation. It shows the bizarre and magical ways witches can alter reality, making a person an inanimate object within a picture. It’s a surreal and permanent fate. Birgit Svenson: The Chicken Transformation What happens: The third child, Birgit Svenson, starts growing feathers all over her body and within a month, turns into a large white chicken. Her parents kept her for years, and she even laid brown eggs. Why it’s important: This transformation is absurd and horrifying at the same time. It emphasizes the complete loss of identity and humanity that a witch’s magic can inflict. Imagine your child turning into a farm animal! Harald: The Boy Who Turned to Stone What happens: The fourth story is about a boy named Harald, whose skin turned “greyish-yellow” and then “hard and crackly, like the shell of a nut.” By evening, he had turned completely into “granite” (a very hard stone). Why it’s important: This is perhaps the most frightening transformation for its finality and utter immobility. It’s a stark reminder that a witch’s magic is irreversible and can render a person lifeless. What happens: The last case involves nine-year-old Leif, who was picnicking and swimming with his family. He dove into the water, stayed under for a long time, and came up as a porpoise (a sea animal similar to a dolphin). The narrator asks if there was a “tremendous fuss,” but the grandmother calmly says Norwegians are “used to that sort of thing,” as “there are witches everywhere.” Why it’s important: This transformation is also bizarre but introduces the grandmother’s chillingly casual acceptance of these events. Her statement, “There are witches everywhere,” reinforces the pervasive, hidden danger that she wants the boy to understand. Bedtime Reassurance (or Lack Thereof) What happens: The boy, clearly frightened, asks if a witch would come through his window. The grandmother reassures him that witches “will never do silly things like climbing up drainpipes or breaking into people’s houses” and that he’ll be “quite safe in [his] bed.” She then tucks him in. Why it’s important: This ending leaves the reader with a lingering sense of unease. While the grandmother offers comfort, the specific nature of her reassurance (“they don’t climb drainpipes”) still implies that witches do exist and operate in other, more subtle, and perhaps more dangerous, ways. The boy is “safe” in bed, but what about outside? Theme and Moral of the Story/Extract
Themes:
The Hidden Dangers in the Everyday: A core theme is that evil and danger (represented by witches) are not always obvious. They don’t appear in spooky castles; instead, they hide in plain sight, disguised as “nice ladies” or giving out apples. This encourages caution and observation. The Power of Storytelling: The grandmother uses stories not just to entertain but to educate and warn. Her vivid tales deeply affect the narrator, demonstrating how narratives can convey important lessons and create lasting impressions, even if they are frightening. Coping with Loss and Grief: The stories begin as a way for both the grandmother and the boy to forget their “great sadness” after the parents’ death. While the content becomes dark, the act of shared storytelling is initially a coping mechanism. Appearance vs. Reality: Witches often disguise themselves as ordinary people (“tall lady,” “nice lady”), highlighting that what seems normal or friendly can be incredibly dangerous. Moral:
The extract offers several implicit morals, particularly for young readers:
Be Wary of Strangers, Even Friendly Ones: The fates of Ranghild and Solveg underscore the danger of accepting things (like apples or invitations) from people you don’t know, no matter how “nice” they seem. Listen to Warnings from Experienced Elders: The grandmother is an “expert” on witches and emphasizes the importance of listening and remembering her words. This suggests that wisdom passed down from older, more experienced individuals should be taken seriously. Danger Can Be Insidious and Unexpected: The transformations of the children are bizarre and unpredictable, teaching that threats might not always be direct or violent but can come in strange, magical forms, turning the familiar into something terrifyingly alien. Author Spotlight: Roald Dahl (1916-1990)
Roald Dahl was no ordinary writer; he led a life as fascinating and adventurous as the stories he created! Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl’s early experiences, including a rather strict boarding school education, later inspired some of his most memorable characters and plotlines.
Before becoming one of the world’s most beloved children’s authors, Dahl actually had a remarkable and varied career. He was, as the text mentions, a spy during World War II, working for British intelligence in Washington D.C. He was also an ace fighter pilot for the Royal Air Force, enduring a severe plane crash that left him with injuries. His experiences in these roles often lent a sense of danger, wit, and resilience to his characters.
Beyond his wartime service, Dahl also delved into less conventional pursuits, like being a “chocolate historian” (he was deeply fascinated by chocolate, inspiring Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and even a “medical inventor,” developing devices and treatments to help people, including his own family members.
Dahl’s writing style is instantly recognizable: a unique blend of dark humor, mischievous characters, fantastical plots, and often a deliciously gruesome touch. He wasn’t afraid to portray the unpleasant realities of life or to create truly villainous adults, which resonated deeply with children who often feel powerless. His stories empower the young, show good triumphing over evil (even if it’s a messy fight), and celebrate the imagination. His “treasury of original and fantastic stories” continues to enchant generations of readers, making him a true literary legend.
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