Key Facts
full title ·
Something Wicked This Way Comes
author · Ray Bradbury
type of work · Novel
genre · Science fiction/fantasy
language · English
time and place written · From 1955 to 1962 in Los Angeles Bradbury turned a ten page story of his into this novel
date of first publication · 1962
publisher · Avon Books
narrator · Omniscient narrator
climax · Jim and Will's final ride on the carousel is the climax of the novel.
protagonist · William Halloway, James Nightshade, and Charles Halloway
antagonist · Mr. Dark
setting (time) · Unclear, but likely between 1920 and 1950
setting (place) · Green Town, Illinois
point of view · Mostly Will or Charles Halloway but several chapters are from the point of view of other characters.
falling action · Will and his father bring Jim back to life by dancing and singing and being happy.
tense · Immediate past
foreshadowing · The Prologue foreshadows much of the plot, and throughout the book major events are foreshadowed.
tone · The tone is mystical and poetic yet believable.
themes · Acceptance; common cause; age
motifs · Magic; belief
symbols · The carnival as evil; young boys as life
