Firestarter

How does King underscore government overreach with real-world historical incidents? Select three of these incidents and explain how they contribute to, or contradict, King’s theme of government overreach.

Both Andy and Rainbird function as Charlie’s father figures. Compare and contrast their paternal approaches, motivations, and impact on Charlie.

How does the novel show that psychological manipulation is just as potent as physical violence? Choose three examples where psychological manipulation is used in the novel and trace its impact on the characters.

King begins his novel in media res. What are the advantages of this, and how does it propel the story forward? How does it hinder the story?

King uses a third-person narrator. What are the limits and advantages of this? How might the novel read differently if it were told from Charlie’s first-person perspective, or Charlie’s and Andy’s dual perspectives?

In what ways does King depict scientific testing? Does he make a firm statement one way or another regarding the practice?

How do dreams convey the novel’s messages and themes, such as the dream Charlie has in which she is riding Necromancer? How does Charlie’s dream influence the reader’s perception of the events that follow?

Firestarter shows the government as an antagonistic force. How does King’s portrayal of governmental authority compare with his other books, such as The Running Man (1982) and The Stand (1978)? How is the government characterized in a similar way in these other novels? In what ways is it characterized differently, and how?