Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Something Wicked This Way Comes, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Good vs. Evil
Age, Time, and Acceptance
Love and Happiness
Fear, the Supernatural, and the Unknown
Summary
Analysis
The police drop Will and Jim off near two dark houses, and they pretend to run inside as the cops drive away. Will had thrown his carnival tickets as they ran from the freak tent, but Jim still holds his tight. Will tells Jim about the Dwarf resembling Mr. Fury. “If only there was still some way to apologize to Mr. Cooger—” Jim says. Will can’t believe his ears. “You still don’t see we can’t do business with those ulmers and goffs!” Will cries to Jim.
Will throws his tickets away because he is able to resist the temptation of the carousel, at least in one moment of conviction. Jim, however, is willing to ride the carousel despite the danger that it clearly poses. Will refers to the carnival as “ulmers and goffs,” the monsters from his own dreams.
Themes
Jim stares at Will. “Why, maybe even Mr. Crosetti—” Will says, stopping midsentence. Jim suggests the barber is simply on vacation. Will reminds Jim of the sign. “He eat too much candy out at the show?” Will asks. “He get seasick on everybody’s favorite ride?” Will tells Jim that he knows Jim plans to ride the carousel and “ditch” him. Jim tenderly touches Will’s arm and reassures him that he won’t leave him.
“Everybody’s favorite ride” is a clear reference to the carousel. Presumably, Mr. Crosetti has already been transformed into a younger version of himself and can’t go back to his former life. Though Jim is still longing for the carousel, he is also held back by his connection with Will.
Themes
Will continues to plead with Jim to stay away from the carousel. “Everything in its time,” Will continues, “like the preacher said only last month, everything one by one, not two by two, will you remember?”
Will and Jim hear voices from the police station, and they can see Miss Foley sitting next to Charles. “You saw their faces?” Will’s father asks. Miss Foley confirms, but she neglects to mention Robert. She doesn’t want to press charges, she says, but if they aren’t guilty, where are they? “Here!” Will yells, running toward the station.
Will’s willingness to turn himself in to the police is more evidence of his goodness and general obedience to authority. Jim would rather avoid the police and Miss Foley, but Will is ready to confess—even if he isn’t guilty.
Themes
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