A Sorceress Comes to Call

The geese in A Sorceress Comes to Call symbolize the protective forces against sorcery and the vigilance required to identify malevolent magic. As living wards, the geese are attuned to the presence of sorcery, often reacting to it with instinctual alarm. Their behavior serves as a warning system, alerting the characters to the dangers posed by Evangeline’s powers. When Falada is present, the geese closely follow him, demonstrating their loyalty and connection to the magical realm. This relationship underscores the theme of community in the face of oppression, as the geese work together to protect their territory and the characters within it. Their role as sentinels illustrates the need for awareness and cooperation when confronting the dangers of Evangeline’s sorcery.

The short goose serves as a significant symbol of resilience and bravery in the face of perceived inferiority. Initially regarded as unfit for breeding due to his size, he nonetheless rises to the occasion when danger approaches, putting himself in harm’s way to protect the other geese and the humans in the Evermore household. His actions challenge the conventional notions of worth, illustrating that true strength often comes from those who may not fit traditional ideals of heroism. This mirrors Cordelia’s character arc, as she navigates her own feelings of inadequacy and psychological scars. Like the short goose, Cordelia demonstrates that despite her youth and trauma, she possesses the courage to stand up for what is right. Both characters embody the idea that resilience can manifest in unexpected forms, reminding the reader that true valor is not determined by stature or past struggles but by the willingness to confront challenges head-on for the sake of others.

The motif of doors throughout A Sorceress Comes to Call illustrates the novel’s key themes of agency and identity, particularly in relation to Cordelia’s struggle against her mother’s oppressive control. In the Chatham household, Cordelia is denied the simple autonomy of closing doors, a restriction that not only limits her physical space but also symbolizes her lack of personal agency. The open doors serve as a constant reminder of her mother’s surveillance and manipulation, illustrating how Evangeline’s dominance invades Cordelia’s emotional and mental boundaries.

Despite this, Cordelia exhibits small acts of rebellion by closing doors when her mother is away, asserting a semblance of control over her environment, albeit temporarily. These moments highlight her yearning for independence and her desire to carve out a space for her own thoughts and feelings, away from Evangeline’s influence. Her rebellion signifies her growing awareness of the need to protect herself from her mother’s oppressive grasp, marking the beginning of her journey toward self-definition.

In contrast, the Chatham household provides Cordelia with the physical separation she lacked at home, as multiple doors now create a buffer between her and Evangeline. This change in environment signifies not just a shift in location but a deeper transformation in Cordelia’s sense of identity. The doors in the Chatham House symbolize the newfound autonomy that she experiences, allowing her to explore her relationships with others, like Hester and Penelope, without the constant threat of her mother’s control. As she navigates these relationships, the doors become a metaphor for her evolving sense of self, representing the emotional barriers that she must dismantle to reclaim her identity. Ultimately, the motif of doors encapsulates Cordelia’s struggle for agency and her journey toward understanding who she is outside of Evangeline’s shadow.