Something Wicked This Way Comes - Prologue & Chapter 1

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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of the word 'Prologue'?

It introduces Jim Nightshade and William Halloway, who will experience significant changes.

What happens to Jim and Will during the October week mentioned in the Prologue?

They grow up overnight.

In Chapter 1, who is the lightning rod salesman?

Tom Fury.

What does Tom Fury give to Jim?

A free lightning rod shaped half-crescent, half-cross. Signup and view all the answers

How does Jim think the strange languages on the lightning rod are related?

He thinks they are Egyptian. Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 2, what do Jim and Will love about the library?

It is packed with books that can transport them all over the world. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Charles William Halloway in relation to Will?

He is Will's father. Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 3, how are Will and Jim described in terms of their personalities?

Will is gentle-hearted and sensitive, while Jim is daring and darker in nature. Signup and view all the answers

What does Charles Halloway do to cope with his internal conflict in Chapter 3?

He heads out to a bar to have one drink. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event do Will and Jim observe in Chapter 5 that reminds them of their youth?

The appearance of 'The Most Beautiful Woman in the World.' Signup and view all the answers

What peculiar behavior does Will exhibit in Chapter 6 regarding the theater?

He does not want to see the theater because he did not like the strange actors before. Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 10, what dark imagery is associated with 'The Most Beautiful Woman in the World'?

Imagery such as 'like a great coffin boat' and the 'snow-pale-death-shimmering illumination from her cheeks.' Signup and view all the answers

What do the boys find inside Will's house in Chapter 8 regarding the carnival?

Will's parents discuss the carnival, and Will expresses he does not want it to come to their town. Signup and view all the answers

What troubling conversation does Jim have with his mother in Chapter 9?

He tells her he does not want children because they will eventually die. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Miss Foley in Chapter 16?

She has a terrible experience in the Mirror Maze. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jim want to do in Chapter 23?

He wants to ride the carousel to get older. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Mr.Cooger rides the carousel in Chapter 24?

He becomes a mummified very old man. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prologue

Jim Nightshade and William Halloway are best friends in Green Town, Illinois, awaiting Halloween and a significant change in their lives.
Jim will turn fourteen soon, and the story hints at transformative events occurring during Halloween week.

Chapter 1

Tom Fury, a lightning rod salesman, meets the boys; he strangely knows Jim.
Will is born just before midnight on October 30th, while Jim is born after midnight on Halloween.
Jim receives a peculiar lightning rod with mysterious symbols, suggesting his house will be struck by lightning.

Chapter 2

The lightning rod is attached to Jim's roof, and it sets off a night of exploration for the boys.
They enjoy the freedom of the outdoors and love the library filled with books.
Charles Halloway, Will's father, discusses the types of books and considers themes of good and evil through a "black-hat" and "white-hat" lens.

Chapter 3

Charles feels nostalgic about his youth, contrasting the boys' energy with his own melancholy.
Will displays sensitivity, while Jim presents a more rebellious nature shaped by his troubled past.

Chapter 4

The boys encounter Mr. Tetley and Mr. Crosetti, who expresses sorrow about the approaching carnival, reminding him of lost time.
Mr. Crosetti's tear symbolizes the passage of time and longing for youth.

Chapter 5

Charles sees a man putting up strange carnival posters, invoking memories of a past filled with magic.
The posters advertise Cooger and Dark's carnival, stirring excitement and foreboding.

Chapter 6

Jim's fascination with the theater contrasts Will's discomfort with its eerie actors.
Tensions rise as Jim chooses to explore Hickory Street while Will hesitates.

Chapter 7

The boys discover an advertisement for the carnival starting the next day, raising Will's suspicions about its timing.

Chapter 8

Will's family dynamic is examined, with Charles feeling sadness about his age, contrasted with Will's youthful spirit.
Will's unease about the carnival's arrival deepens as they discuss its implications.

Chapter 9

Jim reveals his traumatic childhood experiences, including near-death and family loss.
He decides to dislodge the lightning rod, indicating a rebellious nature against his fears.

Chapter 10

Tom Fury's encounter with the carnival's alluring figure, "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World," signifies the interplay of youth and death.
Dark imagery suggests the deeper themes of mortality.

Chapter 11

The story connects to the Prologue as the carnival arrives in the early morning hours, enhancing a sense of foreboding.
The descriptive imagery of the train evokes historical echoes, hinting at darker themes.

Chapter 12

Jim's free spirit is likened to a kite, emphasizing his impulsive nature.
The carnival's setup appears ghostly and foreboding, signaling trouble ahead.

Chapter 13

Charles witnesses Will and Jim returning, underscoring the carnival's powerful effect.
The Mirror Maze represents self-reflection and the confrontation of age, capturing the essence of fear and despair.

Chapter 14

Charles's despair is tied to themes of femininity and immortality, as he grapples with growing older.
Symbolism of the number three appears in exploring birth, life, and death.

Chapter 15

The boys' perception of the carnival shifts from magical to disillusioned once they experience it firsthand.
Miss Foley's panic in the Mirror Maze foreshadows the dangers lurking within the carnival.

Chapter 16

After a series of carnival games, Jim's disappearance highlights the peril in their midst.
Will's role as protector emerges, emphasizing their deep friendship.

Chapter 17

The boys explore Tom Fury's abandoned leather bag, questioning the importance of its contents left behind.
The presence of mystical symbols intensifies the mystery surrounding the carnival.

Chapter 18

Jim's reckless decision to ride the magical carousel leads to an encounter with Mr. Cooger, who reveals dark transformational powers.
The carousel's enchantment of reversing age presents the allure of youth versus the reality of aging.

Chapter 19

The boys confront the reality that Mr. Cooger is impersonating Miss Foley's nephew, raising the stakes of their moral dilemma.
Will's realization of the carnival's dark nature culminates in a foreboding sense of urgency.

Chapter 20

The boys grapple with their sense of responsibility toward Miss Foley and their fears about the carnival's deceits.
Will's reluctance to confide in his father reflects the internal conflict faced by young protagonists.

Chapter 21

A secret communication system between Will and Jim emphasizes their bond and adventurous spirit.
They stealthily navigate through the night, a testament to their determination.

Chapter 22

The boys witness Mr. Cooger's nefarious actions, deepening their discontent with the magical allure of the carnival.
Jim's pursuit of maturity through reckless means highlights a yearning to escape childhood.

Chapter 23

Jim's desire to age quickly contrasts with Will's fears about loss and transformation within the carnival's grasp.
The sinister ambiance reveals the complication of human desires entwined with carnival magic.

Chapter 24

After calling for help, Will and Jim witness side-show acts that encapsulate the carnival's bizarre and eerie spectacle.
Mr. Dark's interaction with Mr. Electrico cements the carnival's unsettling relationship with life and death, foreshadowing dire consequences for the boys.

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Description

Dive into the eerie world of Ray Bradbury's 'Something Wicked This Way Comes'. This quiz covers the Prologue and Chapter 1, introducing the main characters, Jim and Will, and the mysterious events of October in Green Town, Illinois. Test your knowledge on the beginning of this classic tale of coming-of-age amidst supernatural themes.