The Midnight Gang

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying, illness, and ableism.

The deep freezer room is an early symbol for the benefit of make-believe and The Therapeutic Value of Imagination. The children encounter a mystical North Pole-style world of ice caves and snowfall thanks to the accumulated ice crystals of the freezer and Porter’s planning and work. The fan and blowing ice particles appear snow-like and glittery in the hall light. Amber experiences the proud triumph of an explorer and claims the region for Britain. These make-believe experiences in the deep freeze provide Amber, Tom, George, and Robin with genuine happiness that they do not receive in the ward.

The deep freeze also sparks Tom’s make-believe skills and propensity for imagination. These were suffocated in his lonely days at the boarding school, but now, his imagination is so attuned to the scenery that he is sincerely afraid of Porter in the bear suit. The deep freeze setting is also the location for Porter’s stories of many Midnight Gang successes, all of which relied on make-believe skills to enjoy. With its use of resources, its impact on Amber’s emotions, and Tom’s newly awakened respect for pretending, the deep freeze is a symbol that represents the blessings of make-believe.