Something Wicked This Way Comes Youth Quotes
How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
First of all, it was October, a rare month for boys. Not that all months aren't rare. But there be bad and good, as the pirates say. Take September, a bad month: school begins. Consider August, a good month, school hasn't begun yet. July, well, July's really fine: there's no chance in the world for school. (Prologue.1)
This immediately sets the tone of the novel as being focused on the experience of boyhood by discussing the implications of different months for youngsters.
Quote #2
It was always a surprise – that old man, his work, his name.
That's Charles William Halloway, thought Will, not grandfather, not far-wandering, ancient uncle, as some might think, but…my father. (2.20-2.21)
This is our first introduction to Charles Halloway. Note the intense contrast and distance drawn between him and his child. Read the rest of the passage for more.
Quote #3
Watching the boys vanish away, Charles Halloway suppressed a sudden urge to run with them, make the pack. He knew what the wind was doing to them, where it was taking them, to all the secret places that were never so secret again in life. (3.1)
Charles Halloway's longing for youth makes him incredibly susceptible to the carnival's temptations. What gives him the strength to resists these temptations?
Quote #4
"I don't need [a drink]," said Halloway. "But someone inside me does."
[Bartender]: "Who?"
The boy I once was, thought Halloway, who runs like the leaves down the sidewalk autumn nights.
But he couldn't say that. (3.15-3.18)
Wait a second… Halloway wants the thirteen-year-old boy inside of him to have a drink? What do you think Bradbury is trying to say here?
Quote #5
"I haven't smelled that in years," said Mr. Crosetti.
Jim snorted. "It's around."
"Yes, but who notices? When? No, my nose tells me, breathe! And I'm crying. Why? Because I remember how a long time ago, boys ate that stuff. Why haven't I stopped to think and smell the last thirty years?" (4.29-4.31)
Like Miss Foley and Mr. Halloway, Mr. Crosetti longs to become a child again. We assume his temptations lead to his mysterious disappearance.
Quote #6
Something must be done not to hurt, no, but slow down interference from such as Jim and Will. No one must stand between her and nephew, her and carousel, her and lovely gilding ride-around summer. (25.10)
The lure of youth works powerfully on Miss Foley, who comes across as an otherwise very nice lady.
Quote #7
"Sure, sure the merry-go-round sounds keen. You think I like being thirteen all the time? No me! But for cri-yi, Jim, face it, you don't really want to be twenty!" (26.25)
Part of what makes Will so great: he can recognize his temptations to grow older but is able to resist them and help Jim resist. Alternate reading: Will is a mad late bloomer who straight up enjoys being a kid.
Quote #8
"You know what I hate most of all, Will? Not being able to run anymore, like you." (27.14)
Mr. Halloway's desire is fulfilled at the end of the novel when he runs as the boys do. This proves that youth is in fact a state of mind, not a physical state.
Quote #9
"Oh, Dad, I don't care how old you are, ever! I don't care what, I don't care anything! Oh, Dad," he cried, weeping. "I love you!" (49.25)
Will's statement is integral to Charles's acceptance of himself. This is part of what makes Will the novel's protagonist.
Quote #10
Perhaps the boys slowed. They never knew. Perhaps Charles Halloway quickened his pace. He could not say.
But, running even with the boys, the middle-aged man reached out.
Will slapped, Jim slapped, Dad slapped the semaphore signal base at the same instant. (54.147)
Charles Halloway achieves his dream of youthfulness exactly when he truly accepts his age and his mortality – and is able to laugh in its face.