November 7, 2023
SPOILER ALERT: This journal entry contains insights about Candle Face and her role in The Empty Lot Next Door. If you're trying to avoid spoilers, it's advisable not to read further until you've finished the book. Reading this journal entry may reveal important plot details that you'd rather discover on your own.
Candle Face, a ghost from my award-winning memoir, The Empty Lot Next Door, is a complex and mysterious character. Initially, Candle Face appears as an observer, watching activities from a distance, evoking a sense of jealousy or resentment. This hidden observation suggests a character who is both curious and detached, hinting at a deeper, possibly unresolved emotional state. The character's ability to enter Ray's house (my childhood name) through unconventional means, like mirrors and shadows, further highlights this complexity, demonstrating a supernatural quality that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural.
Candle Face's existence raises questions for Ray, leading to reflections on the nature of ghosts and the supernatural. These reflections stem from Candle Face's seemingly real impacts on Ray's life despite doubts about her existence. Such ambiguity challenges the reader to consider the boundaries between the physical and the metaphysical, as well as the reliability of perception and memory.
Candle Face also exhibits a disturbing ability to invade personal spaces, creating a constant sense of vulnerability and fear. This intrusion is physical and psychological, as she appears to be able to read or influence thoughts. This aspect of Candle Face's character speaks to the theme of the unseen and unknown fears that can dominate our lives, particularly fears rooted in childhood experiences.
Moreover, Candle Face is linked to past events and memories, suggesting a connection between personal history and present fears. This connection is exemplified when Ray learns that Candle Face might have died in the house he grew up in rather than in the fire next door, tying her directly to his personal history. This revelation adds a layer of personal tragedy to her character, perhaps explaining some of her haunting behaviors.
Candle Face's interactions aren't limited to Ray but extend to other characters, such as Ricky and Andre, indicating her influence over a broader range of people and events. Her involvement in these characters' lives suggests a manipulative and evil nature, as she uses her supernatural abilities to influence or control others.
Candle Face's actions aren't without consequence, as they lead to a confrontation where Ray gains the upper hand, symbolizing a personal victory over his fears and the ghostly figure that has tormented him. This confrontation underscores the central theme of overcoming fear and the power of facing one's demons.
Candle Face's presence evokes a range of emotions in Ray, from frustration and anger to fear and confusion. This emotional response reflects humans' complex relationship with fear and the unknown. Candle Face's actions force Ray to confront his fears and take protective measures, illustrating the human instinct to seek safety and control in the face of uncertainty.
Candle Face's ability to silence and immobilize Ray during their interactions points to the paralyzing effect of fear and the struggle to find one's voice in the face of terror. Her actions, such as mimicking Ray's words and inflicting physical harm, demonstrate a cruel and sadistic nature.
Candle Face is a very complex character embodying themes of fear, the supernatural, and the impact of past traumas on the present. Her interactions with Ray and other characters in The Empty Lot Next Door serve as a vehicle for exploring these themes, looking at the human psyche and the power of unseen forces in shaping our experiences and perceptions.
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