The Man with the Red Eyes attempts to control the mind of Charles Wallace.
In the narrative, The Man with the Red Eyes serves as a key figure responsible for coercing Charles Wallace into submitting to the influence of IT, the central intelligence that governs the entire planet of Camazotz. His actions are directly aimed at stripping Charles Wallace of his free will and bringing him under the collective, controlled consciousness of IT.
The Role of The Man with the Red Eyes
The Man with the Red Eyes acts as an agent of IT, the powerful, disembodied brain that seeks to enforce conformity and eliminate individuality on Camazotz. His primary function is to manipulate and overwhelm the minds of those who resist, making them susceptible to IT's pervasive control.
| Character/Entity | Primary Role | Target of Control | Ultimate Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Man with Red Eyes | Agent of IT, responsible for inducing submission. | Charles Wallace | To bring individuals under IT's total dominion. |
| Charles Wallace | The child prodigy with a highly intelligent mind. | His own mind | To maintain his individuality and resist control. |
| IT | The disembodied brain, the planet's overlord. | All minds | Absolute, unified control over Camazotz. |
Charles Wallace: The Target
Charles Wallace is chosen as a target due to his exceptional intellect and empathetic nature, which make him both a potential threat to IT's control and a valuable asset if subdued. The Man with the Red Eyes specifically focuses on breaking Charles Wallace's mental defenses to ensure his full compliance with the planet's rigid, uniform system. The process involves overwhelming his mind to force him to conform to the collective consciousness orchestrated by IT.
The Ultimate Controller: IT
While The Man with the Red Eyes is the direct instrument of control, the ultimate power behind this attempt to dominate Charles Wallace's mind is IT. This monstrous, pulsating brain is the true antagonist, representing the extreme consequences of enforced conformity and the loss of individual thought. The Man with the Red Eyes' efforts are merely a means to an end: to expand IT's control over every mind on Camazotz.
