Chroma in the book.
Chroma in the film
Chroma the Great is a character of the Phantom Tollbooth. Tock described him as one of the few sane men left in the Kingdom of Wisdom. Chroma is the conductor of the color orchestra, and his job is to conduct the sunrise and sunset.
Information[]
Unlike many of the other powerful figures in the book, Chroma doesn't give Milo a tangible present. Instead, he gives Milo responsibility, asking him to wake him up in time for the sunrise.
But Milo learns that this responsibility is a different kind of gift. Like the other gifts he receives, this responsibility helps him learn some valuable lessons on his own. Spurred on by the small task he's given, Milo decides to reach for the stars. He goes on a conducting spree, thinking he just wants to mess around, and ends up making a mess of everything for a week. But when Chroma wakes up, he actually praises the boy and says that maybe someday Milo can conduct after all.
Chroma doesn't discipline Milo or teach him things outright. Instead, Milo uses this experience with Chroma to learn about self-discipline and about taking responsibility for his own actions. Milo learns that he has to figure out when he's ready or not ready to do things, and that he can't depend on other people to do this for him.
In the film, Chroma conducts the sunset using a color-coded music book. When he is finished, Milo praises his work. Chroma remarks he has been practicing since the world was created and that he also conducts violent skyscapes such as thunderstorms and lightning, of which he seems especially proud of. He then says he is sleepy and rests in a sleeping bag aptly decorated with a "Brahms Lullaby" music sheet, requesting that Milo wake him up at 0523 so he can conduct the sunrise. Milo then waits by the podium while Tock says for Milo to get going as they are wasting time. Tock seems to have no regard for Milo's responsibility in this case, thinking it is in conflict with their main mission of making it to the Castle in the Air. The Humbug suggests the problem be solved by Milo conducting the sunrise, to which Tock snarls at the Humbug that was a foolish idea. Milo's attempt at conducting the sunrise makes a mess of unnatural colors and rhythm, causing him to remark he has made a mess of it all as the rest of the film there are constant color flashes until Rhyme and Reason undo it after being freed. When Milo returns to the real world of America, he mentions to his friend Ralph that he messed up a sunrise.
Character[]
Chroma the Great is a very nice person to Milo and the rest.
Description[]
In both the book and the movie, he wears conducting clothes and his hair is gray.
Age[]
His age is unknown, however, he said that he has been conducting the sunrise and sunset ever since the world began.
Trivia[]
- "Chroma" is the Greek word for "color".