Wildwood

The “Impassable Wilderness” is a term used by Outsiders living in Portland to describe the mysterious, magical realm just beyond the town’s borders. The region is known to its inhabitants simply as the “Wood.” In addition to its magical properties, the Wood symbolizes a harmonious interrelationship among all living things.

Animals, birds, and humans are able to converse with one another, dissolving the gap that separates species in the world of Outsiders. Plants, too, are able to communicate their wishes. Alexandra can speak to the invasive ivy and hear its replies. Iphigenia listens to the advice of the Council Tree and is able to get the blackberry brambles to move out of the army’s way.

Prue experiences a shift in her Outsider perspective when she learns that everything in the world is capable of communication. A North Wood resident tells her how the Mystics use this power: “Calming your mind in total silence. Understanding your connection to the natural world, and all that. You do that, and you can hear it. All the talking” (376).

Prue possesses this nascent skill herself. She demonstrates her own ability to communicate with plants when she asks the trees to lift Mac out of Alexandra’s reach.