A Snicker of Magic

The power that words carry is a theme emphasized through many facets of A Snicker of Magic’s plot. Powerful words contribute to crucial moments and relationships as the story unfolds, and the importance of words is stressed through Felicity’s interactions with the people of Midnight Gulch.

The idea that words are powerful is spelled out through Felicity’s interactions with many of the townspeople. Miss Lawson stresses in Chapter 3 that “your words are pure magic, after all. Your words are necessary enchantments” (23). Later, Oliver Weatherly tells the story of meeting Stone Weatherly, whose parting words to Oliver were “Your words matter more than you know” (92). Oliver takes this advice to heart, saying “the only words that mattered” to Eldee Mae by professing his love for her (93). Oliver and Eldee Mae end up marrying and creating the Beedle persona for anonymous acts of kindness. Oliver’s love confession illustrates the way words have the power to form and mend relationships.

This idea comes up again when Florentine tells her story about her relationship with Waylon. Waylon encouraged Florentine to be “brave enough to say what I felt” (153), so Florentine spoke her first words in years to tell Waylon she loved him.