The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter
IV: Of the Witch’s Prison in the Wailing-Tower explained
Birdalone is led by Atra to the Wailing-Tower prison under the witch's orders.
What happens
Birdalone is led by Atra to the Wailing-Tower prison under the witch's orders. Atra reveals her secret alliance with Birdalone and Aurea, promising to keep her safe and well-fed. She shackles Birdalone lightly to avoid suspicion, then leaves. Birdalone, exhausted, falls into a dreamless sleep.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Autonomy
Atra and Aurea secretly conspire to subvert the witch's authority, demonstrating covert female agency in a repressive setting.
Power and Sorcery
The witch's arbitrary power and forgetfulness highlight the capricious nature of sorcerous authority.
Class and Servitude
Birdalone's imprisonment as a captive reflects the power imbalance between the witch and those she controls.
Characters to notice
- Birdalone
Birdalone is led to prison, shackled, but reassured by Atra's kindness; she falls asleep from exhaustion.
- Atra
Atra secretly allies with Birdalone, feigns harshness to deceive the witch, and promises to protect her.
- Aurea
Mentioned as part of the plan to save Birdalone, though not present in the chapter.
- The Witch Wife
The witch orders Birdalone's imprisonment but is expected to forget by morning; her memory is easily confused.
Key passages
“Now meseems the walls of the Wailing-Tower, for so it hight, have no ears to hear, and we may talk together.”
Atra suggests the tower is safe for private conversation, implying the witch cannot overhear them.
Atra reveals her true intentions to Birdalone in a moment of secrecy.
“A prison is a grim place where poor folk who have done that which pleaseth not rich folk are shut up, that they may be grieved and tormented...”
Atra defines prison as a place where the powerless are punished by the powerful for disobedience.
Atra explains the concept of prison to Birdalone, who has never experienced it before.
“Yet bear in mind that it is a friend that hath the key of these things.”
Atra reassures Birdalone that although she is shackled, a friend controls the locks.
Atra emphasizes her loyalty and the temporary nature of the restraints.