Somewhere not so far back, vast lightnings stomped the earth. Somewhere, a storm like a great beast with terrible teeth could not be denied. ~ Bradbury

Something Wicked This Way Comes They sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. - Proverbs 4: By: Ray Bradbury

Background From 1955 to 1962 in Los Angeles Bradbury turned a ten page story into this novel Protagonist · William Halloway, James Nightshade, and Charles Halloway Time frame · Between the 1920s and 50s Setting – Green Town, Illinois –October, Fall

Theme of Acceptance Who We Are We must work at this Not something inherent in people Too many outside influences telling us who we should be Can get confusing Ex. Charles Halloway - Protagonist Conflicted Old man who feels young at heart Doesn’t know who he should be Can be taken advantage Acceptance of one’s self is a type of magic- defensive magic Not afraid to be who we are, or afraid of what we are not.

Acceptance Ex. 2 Jim Nightshade –Feels very strongly about his own personal freedom –Chases life without fear Chases what will destroy him –Fear inhibits personal freedom »Feels fear of harm will take away his personal freedom –Difficult situation »Must learn limitations »Must learn there is more to life than freedom »Inevitably end up alone

Theme - A Common Cause or Purpose Common Beliefs are what bring people together –Common cause is a cause among all people Ex. We All Will Die »Fear of this can be manipulated »Evil Preys on those who feel isolated »Evil is often not dark and scary ally, but bright and beautiful carnival

Theme - AGE Age is not a number –More of a state of mind –Easy for people to fall into the routine of age. »If the body is 75, but the mind 25; the individual is 25. PHYSICAL AGE CANNOT BE TRUSTED The mind is what is important –Many adults have the minds of children »Follow archaic rules and wait to be told what to do next »Blame the world for their pain

William Halloway William means “protector.” Halloway– “hallowed” = “regarded as holy; venerated; sacred”; this person will take and protect the “hallowed” or holy way

Jim Nightshade James means supplanter (one who takes the place of). Nightshade: literally "shade of night," perhaps an allusion to poisonous berries (e.g. deadly nightshade, enchanter’s nightshade)

Characterization Make a T-chart with Will on the left and Jim on the right. Beneath each name, explore what you think each boy fears. Be sure to support your opinion with evidence from the text! _________________________________________ Will’s fears are easier to explore than Jim’s, and yet Will is “the protector” if we are to believe that Bradbury gave him that name for a reason.

Will’s fearsJim’s fears

1.being left behind1. boredom/ sameness 2.unpredictability2. getting hurt 3.bad stuff happening emotionally 4.the ‘big world’3. missing something 5.the unknown4. Will’s not being there 6.people getting hurt to protect him 7.losing Jim (periodically) 8.chaos/lack of order5. not knowing 9.danger 10.disappointing people

More of Will’s fears 11. being alone21. losing innocence 12. taking risks22. the unnatural 13. secrecy23. being unable to 14. lightning/storm protect those he loves 15. doing something bad 16. the future 17. getting in trouble 18. the carnival 19. facing certain unpleasant realities 20. evil

Last characterization question: Who will be better equipped to battle the evil of the carnival, Will or Jim? WHY???

Misc. Charles Halloway “Charles” means “free man” according to some texts. What is he free from? Is it ironic? “Calliope”– Officially, this is a character from Greek mythology dedicated to music. She was said to be the ‘muse’ of Homer in writing the epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. It is also the name of an organ that was used in carnivals, particularly on the carousel. We have come to associate it with the carousel and the even the carousel’s horses.

Themes in Something Wicked This Way Comes Death of innocence: Temptation: Good vs. Evil: Age vs. Youth: Order vs. Chaos:. The world is composed of opposing forces. Qualities of friendship; loyalty to people, loyalty to principles Power of love – Love triumphs (or does it?). Counter evil with __________________.

And that was the October week when they grew up overnight, and were never so young anymore… ~Bradbury