Have you ever experienced the feeling of wonder? That sense of awe and amazement that comes over you when you witness something truly extraordinary? The magic of wonder is a powerful force that can ignite our curiosity, expand our understanding, and bring a sense of enchantment to our lives. Wonder is a natural human emotion that can be triggered by a multitude of experiences. It could be seeing a breathtaking sunset, discovering a hidden talent, or learning something new that challenges our preconceived notions. Whatever the source may be, wonder has the ability to transport us from the mundane to the extraordinary. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with information and distractions, the ability to experience wonder can be easily overlooked. We become so consumed with our daily routines and responsibilities that we forget to stop and appreciate the world around us.
We become so consumed with our daily routines and responsibilities that we forget to stop and appreciate the world around us. But when we do take the time to embrace wonder, it can have a profound impact on our lives. Wonder is not just about the big, grand moments in life.
Plot
New England, 1630: William and Katherine try to lead a devout Christian life, homesteading on the edge of an impassible wilderness, with five children. When their newborn son mysteriously vanishes and their crops fail, the family begins to turn on one another. "The Witch" is a chilling portrait of a family unraveling within their own sins, leaving them prey for an inconceivable evil.
In the Seventeenth Century, in New England, the farmer William and his family are banished from the Puritan plantation controlled by the church due to differences in religion principles. William leaves the spot with his wife Katherine; his teenage daughter Thomasin; his son Caleb and the twins Mercy and Jonas and settles at the edge of a forest. They build a small house and a barn and meanwhile Katherine delivers the baby Samuel. One day, Thomasin is playing with Samuel near the forest and the baby mysteriously vanishes. The family unsuccessfully seeks Sam out and Katherine becomes insane, praying all the time and mistreating and blaming her daughter for everything wrong in their lives. However, William goes to the forest to hunt since the crop has failed. Early in the morning, Caleb, Thomasin, their dog and the family horse go to hunt in the woods. However Thomasin falls from the horse and faints, and Caleb becomes lost in the woods. William finds Thomasin and Katherine confronts her about Caleb's fate. Is this the beginning of the tragic end of their family? —Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Banished from the bosom of their righteous pilgrim community, the troubled patriarch, William, and his Puritan family set out a humble farmhouse on the outskirts of a thick and dark forest, in mid-seventeenth-century New England. As the struggling family tries to settle in their new isolated homestead, before long, disaster will strike when their infant child vanishes into thin air, and, shortly after, other unforeseen and grievous calamities smite the God-fearing farmers. However, is this grave situation the result of a family on the brink of psychological breakdown, or is William's first-born daughter, Thomasin, the root of all evil? —Nick Riganas
Synopsis
The film starts with William (Ralph Ineson), the patriarch of a Puritan family, on trial in 1630s New England. He dismisses those around him as false Christians, and the others claim that he speaks ill of the word of God.
William's family includes his wife Katherine (Kate Dickie), eldest daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), son Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw), twins Mercy (Ellie Grainger) and Jonas (Lucas Dawson), and baby Samuel. Having been banished from their New England plantation, they start a small farm in the wilderness. Mercy and Jonas frequently play with a large black goat that they named Black Phillip.
One afternoon, Thomasin is outside playing Peek-A-Boo with Sam. She covers her face to scare him, but when she looks down, Sam is gone. We cut to somewhere in the darkest part of the woods where a wrinkled hand strokes Sam's body, moments before the creature lowers a knife to his chest. We then see a haggard old woman pounding what appear to be Sam's remains before consuming them. The woman then slowly walks out into the woods.
Katherine becomes distraught following Sam's disappearance. The family believes that a wolf took the baby. Caleb goes out to hunt with his father, but first he starts to notice Thomasin's breasts. Out in the woods, Caleb becomes fearful that Sam was taken because he lived in sin, making Caleb worry that he is also leading a sinful life that will lead to his doom.
William comforts his son, and they proceed to hunt. William aims his rifle at a rabbit, but the recoil from the shot gets him in the eye, and the rabbit runs away. The two return home to an angry Katherine. Thomasin takes the blame for her father for the two of them going to hunt.
Thomasin and Caleb are by the river gathering water. Mercy comes along and accuses Thomasin of being a witch, blaming her for Sam's disappearance. Thomasin plays along with the accusation and starts to terrify Mercy. Thomasin says she is a witch, and that she will get Mercy if she continues to bother her.
With a lack of growth on their crops beginning to turn problematic, Thomasin and Caleb venture into the woods. The two are separated from each other. Caleb disappears and comes across a small cottage. From the doorway emerges a beautiful woman (Sarah Stephens). She lures Caleb toward him and she kisses him before grabbing his head with a haggard hand.
Thomasin later finds Caleb outside in the rain, naked and scarred. The family becomes worried that something evil is overtaking them. Mercy and Jonas continue to accuse Thomasin of being a witch, to the point where even Katherine appears to believe it. Later, Katherine discusses with William that they should give Thomasin to another family, which she overhears. Caleb is bedridden, and the family prays for him. After a while, Caleb begins to writhe and speak some sort of prayer, while Mercy and Jonas also writhe on the ground as if they were possessed. Caleb speaks as though he accepts that he is about to meet God, and he starts to moan passionately before dying with a smile on his face.
Thomasin runs outside to cry in despair. William starts to accuse her of evildoing that led to Caleb's death. She angrily defends herself and states that perhaps it was Mercy and Jonas that made a demonic pact with Black Phillip. William locks his three surviving children in the barn with the goats until something happens.
In the barn, the kids see a pale, nude figure drinking the blood of one of the goats. The creature (a witch) turns around and cackles at Mercy and Jonas, causing them to scream. Meanwhile, Katherine appears to find Caleb sitting in a chair, holding Samuel. She approaches them and takes Sam to breastfeed him, but in reality, it is just a crow picking at Katherine's bosom.
In the morning, the goats have been slaughtered, and Mercy and Jonas have vanished. Thomasin emerges from the barn and sees Black Phillip charge at William, impaling him with one of his horns. William grabs a hatchet and seems ready to fight, but he then drops it, allowing Black Phillip to charge at him again and knock him into a pile of logs that crushes him. Katherine comes out and continues to accuse Thomasin, blaming her for the deaths of her family members. Katherine starts to choke Thomasin, who continuously tells her mother that she loves her. Thomasin grabs a nearby blade and hacks at Katherine's face until she is dead.
Thomasin quietly walks into a barn and dons a cloak. She later encounters Black Phillip and demands to speak to him. After a brief moment of silence, we hear the quiet voice of Phillip. He asks Thomasin what it is that she desires, and tells her what he can promise to give her. Phillip appears to take human form and walks behind Thomasin, telling her to undress. She does, and she follows him into the woods while naked. In the middle of the woods is a coven of witches, all dancing nude around a fire. The witches then start to float in the air. Thomasin embraces the darkness and begins to float high above the trees herself.
The film starts with William (Ralph Ineson), the patriarch of a Puritan family, on trial in 1630s New England. He dismisses those around him as false Christians, and the others claim that he speaks ill of the word of God.
It can be found in the smallest of things – a bird singing its morning song, a child’s laughter, or a flower blooming in the springtime. The magic of wonder lies in our ability to find joy and beauty in the ordinary. It reminds us that there is so much to be grateful for, even in the most challenging of times. When we experience wonder, our perspective shifts. We become more open-minded, receptive to new ideas, and willing to explore the unknown. Wonder encourages us to ask questions, seek answers, and delve deeper into the mysteries of life. It fuels our creativity, leading to innovation and progress in all areas of human endeavor. The magic of wonder also has the power to connect us with others. When we share our sense of awe and amazement with someone else, we create a bond that transcends language and cultural barriers. Wonder has the ability to unite us, reminding us of our shared humanity and the interconnectedness of all living things. In a world that can often feel disenchanted and divided, the magic of wonder offers us a glimmer of hope. It reminds us that there is still so much to discover, to explore, and to be amazed by. It invites us to approach each day with a sense of wonder, embracing the unknown and finding joy in the simplest of things. So, let us not forget the power of wonder. Let us cultivate this magic in our lives and allow it to guide us on our journey of self-discovery and growth. Let us open our hearts and minds to the wonders of the world around us, and in doing so, experience the true magic of wonder..
Reviews for "The Wonder of Art: How Creative Expression Awakens the Spirit"
1. John - 2/5 - Unfortunately, "The Magic of Wonder" did not live up to the hype for me. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them or care about their fates. The writing itself was also lacking, with a lack of emotion and descriptive language. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I found "The Magic of Wonder" to be a complete waste of time. The story was boring and predictable, with no surprises or twists to keep me interested. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to believe in the characters or their motivations. The pacing was also off, with slow sections that dragged on and on. Overall, I regret picking up this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
3. Mark - 2/5 - "The Magic of Wonder" fell flat for me. The writing style was overly flowery and pretentious, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The plot had potential but was dragged down by unnecessary subplots and excessive description. The characters also lacked development and remained stagnant throughout the novel. Overall, this book had potential but failed to deliver, leaving me disappointed and unimpressed.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I was hoping for a magical and enchanting story with "The Magic of Wonder," but unfortunately, it fell short. The world-building was confusing and inconsistent, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. The pacing was also uneven, with slow sections that made it hard to maintain interest. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, resulting in a lack of emotional connection. Overall, this book left me unsatisfied and longing for a more captivating read.