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 4:16 -17By: 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 thisNot something inherent in peopleToo many outside influences telling us who we should beCan get confusing

Ex. Charles Halloway - ProtagonistConflictedOld man who feels young at heartDoesn’t know who he should beCan be taken advantage

Acceptance of one’s self is a type of magic- defensive magicNot 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 fears Jim’s fears

Will’s fears Jim’s fears

1. being left behind 1. boredom/ sameness2. unpredictability 2. getting hurt3. bad stuff happening emotionally4. the ‘big world’ 3. missing something5. the unknown 4. Will’s not being there6. people getting hurt to protect him 7. losing Jim (periodically)8. chaos/lack of order 5. not knowing9. danger10. disappointing people

More of Will’s fears11. being alone 21. losing innocence12. taking risks 22. the unnatural13. secrecy 23. being unable to 14. lightning/storm protect those he loves15. doing something bad16. the future17. getting in trouble18. the carnival19. facing certain unpleasant realities20. 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