Clara and her family briefly live in an idyllic community before the horrific events of the story. Carwin is tutored by a utopian, a man who believes in the creation of a perfect society. Given human nature, is such a society a realistic goal? Would it work better or worse on the smaller scale of a community?

Most of the "supernatural" events are given rational explanations. Which events remain unsatisfactorily explained? Can rational explanations be offered for these events? Are supernatural explanations more or less satisfactory?

Does Carwin's explanation to Clara ring true? Is he telling the whole truth? Do you believe that he played no direct role in Wieland's actions? How does the fragment "Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist" affect your interpretation of Carwin's truthfulness?

Which scenario is scarier—that (a) Wieland was directed by divine command or (b) his actions came...