Harold's Relationship with the Crayon

The purple crayon serves first as Harold's tool for shaping a walk, then as the means of recovery when his drawings lead him into danger.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Tool Taken Along

The Crayon as Equipment Carried into the adventure Harold takes his big purple crayon with him when he sets off. Its presence makes drawing available wherever the journey goes, rather than limiting creation to the opening scene. First acts of construction He uses it to provide a path and the Moon. The crayon is both a practical instrument and the means by which Harold gives material form to his intention.

The Shaking Hand

A Tool in an Unsteady Grip Fear interrupts creation The Dragon frightens Harold so badly that he backs away. His hand holding the purple crayon shakes, making the instrument of his confident constructions part of the immediate danger. An unintended transition Harold realizes what is happening, but he is already over his head in an ocean. The crayon remains important even when its use has brought him into an emergency he did not plan.

The Tool Set Down

The Crayon After the Journey Creation gives way to rest Harold uses the crayon to make his bed once he remembers where home is. The final drawing is functional and intimate, unlike the expansive sea, mountain, and city scenes. An ending gesture The crayon drops to the floor as Harold drops off to sleep. Its release marks the close of active invention: for the moment, Harold no longer needs to make the next thing happen.

At the beginning, as Harold sets off

At the forest, as the Dragon frightens Harold

At the very end, as Harold falls asleep