Something Wicked This Way Comes - Classic Text | Alexandria
Something Wicked This Way Comes, a dark fantasy novel by Ray Bradbury published in 1962, isn't merely a tale; it's an exploration of the battle between good and evil within the seemingly idyllic façade of a small Midwestern town. It is a chilling descent into the heart of temptation, challenging readers to confront the seductive allure of darkness. Often misconstrued as a simple horror story, the novel is instead a complex meditation on mortality, friendship, and the choices that define us.
The phrase "Something wicked this way comes" originates from Shakespeare’s Macbeth (Act IV, Scene 1), where it heralds the approach of the titular character, a man consumed by ambition. Its selection by Bradbury speaks volumes; it is more than an appropriation of dark imagery, it's a thread connecting centuries of literature and human experience. The line itself dates to around 1606 when Macbeth was likely first performed, a period rich with superstition and anxieties about the supernatural, a cultural crucible ripe for interpreting the shadows of the human soul.
Bradbury’s novel reimagines this foreboding omen within the context of Green Town, Illinois, in 1954, where the arrival of Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show heralds a sinister presence. The story follows best friends Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, two boys who discover the carnival’s dark secrets. As interpretations of the novel have evolved, critics have explored themes of lost innocence, the fear of aging, and the seductive nature of power. The imagery of the carousel, which can grant wishes but at a terrible price, stands as a potent symbol of the pitfalls of unchecked desire. Did Bradbury subtly infuse his tale with anxieties of the Cold War era, anxieties that manifested as a heightened awareness of the battle raging between opposing forces? Or did he intend to evoke a simpler, more timeless parable?
“Something Wicked This Way Comes” endures not just as a cornerstone of dark fantasy, but as a mirror reflecting our deepest fears and desires. Its themes of temptation, morality, and the fragility of innocence continue to resonate with contemporary readers, who find relevance in the novel's exploration of the human condition. In a world where shadows often seem to lengthen, Bradbury's cautionary tale still whispers: what happens when our deepest longings come at a terrible cost? And are we brave enough to resist?