At the beginning of the book, Will and Jim appear to be two sides of the same coin in some ways. Discuss how they are the same and how they are different.

How does the appearance of the lightning rod salesman at the beginning of the story set the tone for what follows?

What is Will's relationship to his father like at the beginning of the story? How does it change by the end of the book?

What does Bradbury say about the source of evil in the world? Is anyone totally good or totally evil? What realization do the three heroes come to by the end of the story?

Are the carnival freaks responsible for what they do? How does Mr. Dark recruit new freaks for his carnival (like the lightning rod salesman and Miss Foley)?

How is it that Will and Jim can...