Wonderland and Magical Realism
Magical realism is the basis of this whole story and is explored intensively. John Drinkwater builds a house that looks little on the outside but is bigger on the inside comparing it to how the world is composed of several layers. The family believed in the existence of fairies and fate as seen when Violet, Drinkwater’s wife can speak to the fairies. It is alleged that their two granddaughters, Alice and Sophie used to see fairies when they were young. Their uncle August is believed to have made a deal with the fairies to grant him power over the hearts of women. The family believed that their daily life was like a tale and therefore did not hold anyone accountable for their actions. They existed as if in a fairytale. When Lilac is stolen, it is believed that it is the fairies that stole her and gave them a changeling. The family suspects their relation to the fairies although they cannot trace it to an exact generation. Alice and Smoky’s marriage is understood to have been told by the tarot cards and the family is seen to be preparing to go back to the fairie’s world. Hawksquill, a distant relative of the family steals the tarot cards with the faith that they will lead her to the fairie’s world. Their belief is visibly heightened through their actions and the actions of others such as Eigenblick, president of the United States. He incites the start of a civil war claiming the fairies need to be protected and is bitter about humans for driving them into hiding.
Love and Marriage
Both romantic and family love is depicted between the characters in the story. Alice fell in love with a stranger, Smoky who was visiting his cousin at the time. They get married and start a family together. Their love is also tested and is seen as strong when Smoky cheats with Alice’s sister and she doesn’t leave him. She counters that action by saying that their lives are like tales and nobody is therefore responsible for their actions. Auberon also comes of age and falls in love with Sylvie. Despite Auberon’s shortcomings of plunging into alcoholism and sleeping with her cousin, Bruno the two are seen to wed at Smoky’s funeral. Their love for each other stood the test of time. Lilac shows family love when she beseeches Auberon to quit alcohol and focus on recovery which he does and finds purpose in writing.
Political Incitements and Conspiracies
The newly elected president of the United States, Eigenblick provokes the start of a civil war without a cause. He wants to fight humanity for their responsibility in the hiding of the fairies. He meets opposition from the rich businessmen and politicians who are working with Hawksquill. Political conspiracy is evident when the club moves on without her and she quickly moves onto the other side becoming Eigenblick’s advisor. Hawksquill embarks on a mission to stop the president but gets herself killed. Politics is a dirty game with no honor, it's all business as is proven by the president. Even though Hawsquill was already on his side, he had her killed when she showed opposition. These conspiracies led to civil war eventually making the fairies go into hiding to protect themselves.
