Something Wicked This Way Comes Theme of Transformation

Characters in Something Wicked This Way Comes undergo great physical transformations to become, in most cases, the freaks of a traveling carnival. Their dreams are twisted into nightmares, and their mental and spiritual changes reflected in these extreme physical changes. Transformations in this novel are both good and bad, both ordinary and supernatural. The simply transformation of growing up, for example, is always in the background in this coming-of-age story.

1. Transformation can be both good and bad in this novel. Find some examples of each – who changes for the better and who changes for the worst?
2. There are several extreme physical transformations in the course of this novel; what emotional, mental, or spiritual changes are reflected in them?
3. How is the town – or the setting in general – transformed in the course of the novel?

In Something Wicked This Way Comes, every dream is turned into a nightmare.

The transformations in this novel all in some way comment on the transition from childhood to adulthood.