27 pages 54 minutes read

Neil Gaiman

The Sleeper and the Spindle

Fiction | Graphic Novel/Book | YA | Published in 2014

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Pages 52-69

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Pages 52-69 Summary

The queen finds the discarded spindle and announces that it “smells of magic” (52). Suddenly, the old woman begins to regain her memories: As a young girl, she climbed to the tower and met an old woman—an enchantress in disguise—spinning at a wheel. The old woman pricked the young girl with a spindle. As the old woman speaks, the sleeping girl wakes and continues the story: she herself is the old spinning enchantress. She stole the girl’s youth and slept while everyone else in the kingdom slept. She left the young-girl-turned-old-woman awake, but placed a spell of protection on herself so that the old woman couldn’t harm her. As the enchantress slept, she stole youth and dreams from the sleeping kingdom. Looking at the girl, the queen recognizes the same creature whom her stepmother was—ruthless and cruel. The girl tells them that she has called the sleepers to the castle to help her. Suddenly, the three dwarves fall asleep. The queen confronts the princess, calling her “Your Darkness” (56), and compares her actions to her stepmother’s relentless pursuit of power. The enchantress offers the queen a chance to rule at her right hand. The queen passes

Related Titles

By Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

American Gods

Neil Gaiman

American Gods

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

Anansi Boys

Neil Gaiman

Anansi Boys

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

Fortunately, the Milk

Neil Gaiman

Fortunately, the Milk

Neil Gaiman

STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE

logo

Good Omens

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

Study Guide

logo

How to Talk to Girls at Parties

Neil Gaiman

How to Talk to Girls at Parties

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

October in the Chair

Neil Gaiman

October in the Chair

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

Odd and the Frost Giants

Neil Gaiman

Odd and the Frost Giants

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1

Neil Gaiman

The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1

Neil Gaiman