SUMMARY: Chapters 14–26
Chapter 14–17: The Carnival Arrives
• Jim and Will sneak out at night and witness the carnival arriving in the middle of a
storm.
• The boys are curious but also feel that something is strange and creepy.
• The carnival sets up magically and silently — this is not a normal carnival.
Important Point:
The boys notice odd behavior and a strange, chilling feeling — this shows that the carnival
is not safe or natural.
Chapter 18–20: First Visit to the Carnival
• Will and Jim visit the carnival during the day.
• They see weird and mysterious things like the Mirror Maze and a carousel that
seems magical.
• A lightning-rod salesman who had warned the boys earlier is now missing.
• Mr. Dark, one of the carnival owners (also called the Illustrated Man), has tattoos
that move and seem alive.
Important Points:
• The Mirror Maze shows people what they fear most.
• The carousel can turn people older or younger depending on which direction it
moves.
• Mr. Dark is introduced as a villain who controls the carnival with dark powers.
Chapter 21–23: Suspicion Grows
• Will begins to worry about Jim, who is fascinated by the carousel and its magic.
• Jim wants to ride it to become older quickly — he’s tempted by the idea of growing
up fast.
• Will tries to protect Jim from making a dangerous choice.
• They realize the carnival is trying to trap people by using their weaknesses.
Important Point:
Jim and Will’s friendship is tested. Jim wants power and freedom, but Will wants to do
what’s right and safe.
Chapter 24–26: Mr. Halloway and the Truth
• Will’s father, Charles Halloway, starts to notice something is wrong with the town
and the carnival.
• He reads old books and discovers the carnival is very old and evil, returning every
few decades.
• The people who run it use fear and desire to control others.
• He begins to understand how the carnival tricks people by offering them what they
think they want.
Important Point:
Charles Halloway becomes a key helper to the boys. His wisdom will help fight against the
evil of the carnival.
Main Themes in These Chapters:
• Good vs Evil: The carnival represents evil, and the boys (especially Will) represent
good.
• Temptation: Jim is tempted by the idea of growing up too fast.
• Fear: The carnival uses people’s fears to trap them.
• Friendship: The boys’ friendship is tested, but they still care about each other.
QUESTIONS
1. What strange event do Jim and Will witness during the night in Chapter 14?
2. Why does the carnival seem suspicious to the boys? Give one reason.
3. What is special about the carousel at the carnival?
4. What happens to the lightning-rod salesman after he visits the carnival?
5. Who is Mr. Dark and what is unusual about his appearance?
6. Why is Jim interested in riding the carousel?
7. How does Will try to protect Jim from the dangers of the carnival?
8. What does Mr. Halloway learn about the carnival when he reads old books?
9. How does the carnival use people’s fears and desires to control them?
10. Name one major theme that is shown in these chapters and explain it briefly.
6 May 2025
CHAPTER 14-26
ACTIVITY
1. They see that the carnival appears magically and silently in the storm at night.
2. It seems suspicious because its set up really fast and out of nowhere giving a strange and
creepy feeling.
3. It can make the people older or younger in age depending on the directions it spins.
4. The lightning – rod salesman goes missing after he visits the carnival.
5. Mr. Dark is the carnival owner , also called the Illustrated Man and he has unusual tattoos
that move.
6. Jim is interested in riding the carousel because he’s tempted to grow older quickly so he
can go on adventures like he always wants to.
7. Will protects Jim by warning him about the creepy feeling about the carousel asking him
not to go ride it.
8. Mr Halloway learns that the carnival is old and evil and comes back at decades to trap
people in his spell.
9. The carnival uses people’s fears and wants by giving them what they want like powers to
trap them.
10. Temptation – Jim is tempted by the idea of growing up too fast , putting him in danger.
