The Dwindling Party
Edward Gorey’s book The Dwindling Party is a particularly interesting book to consider when looking at the intended audience for Gorey’s works. The book tells the story of a family who goes to tour an estate and meets a rather tragic fate. While the theme of the work is still rather dark and like other works by Gorey includes not one but multiple deaths, this is juxtaposed by the interactive pop-up illustrations. Pop-up illustrations are traditionally seen in children’s books, and the books simplistic rhyme scheme also gives it a rather child-like feel. The book follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, which almost over simplifies the very dark messages of the text. The rhyme scheme combined with the pop-ups work together to create the feel of a children’s book. As mentioned earlier the appropriateness of children’s literature is often determined by things such as the reading level of the book and its ability to hold a child’s attention.
As the story progresses and more family members die the remaining members are left unaware of the situation. They continue on to the next sight at the manor. Neville, who is the youngest, can often be seen looking in the opposite direction of his family and seems to be even more naive and unaware about the death surrounding him. His naivety leaves the reader to question if he is a symbol for the child reader who is unaware and therefore unaffected by the death in the book. The rest of the family may represent the adult reader because the adult reader is aware of the death they must succumb to it and feel the dark tones of the book just like the rest of the family who is not as removed must succumb to death.
The dark imposing shrubbery and gates set the tone for this book and introduce the sing-song ABAB rhyme scheme.
A closer look shows the first death of the book. The rest of the family stands idly by without noticing their missing member. The indifference adds to the mature feel of the book.
Even as the party dwindles down to two neither member seems concerned by their missing family, yet the childlike rhyme scheme continues.
Even as his father is taken by a monster little Neville stand staring obliviously off into the distance. His Naivety is representative of a child’s naivety while reading this book. Adults would recognize the dark tones, but the children reading the book would be unaware of the ever present death.