Vanessa Watson

Mrs. Sieradski

Language Arts

March 27, 2019

Kill ‘em with Kindness

Smiling for a prolonged period actually makes you happier. Laughter is the best medicine

whether in sickness or in health. An old man and a young boy are silly to try and revive a dead

person. They laugh and jump and sing rather off tune. In the novel Something Wicked This Way

Comes by Ray Bradbury, the weapons against evil are companionship, love, and laughter.

One of the main weapons against evil is love, especially the love they have for each

other. For example, Charles is embracing Jed, “They looked like father and son long apart,

passionately met, embraced, yet more embraced, as the man lifted his wounded hand to gently

touch the stricken face as the crowd, the teem, of illustrations shivered and flew now this way

and that in microscopic forays quickly abandoned. The boy's eyes swiveled wildly, fixed upon

the manes mouth.” (275). Charles knows that positive feelings such as happiness are like poison

to the freaks, the sinners. He uses love because love is even more powerful than a joy to kill

Satan in it’s weakest state. In addition, when Jim wakes up, “Oh, Jim, Jim," Will said. "We'll be

pals forever." "Sure, hey sure." Jim was very quiet now.” (). Will deeply loves Jim and does not

want him to leave. Will is so loyal in his love towards Jim that he tries to saves him from the

carnival. Furthermore, when Will cries, Charles says, "It's all right," said Dad. "Have a small cry.

We're out of the woods. Then we'll laugh some more, going home." (). Charles’ and Will’s love

for each other has grown throughout the book. Charles loves Will enough to help him save Jim,
but not be too harsh on him afterward. Love is like a cannon against evil, while laughter and

smiles are but rifles and pistols.

Laughter is the sound of release from worry and the other emotions the autumn people

feed on which starves them. For example, Charles is trying to convince Will to sing and dance

as a way to save Jim, “Get up! Get off your knees, damn it! Jump around! Whoop and holler!

You hear! Shout, Will, sing, but most of all laugh, you got that, laugh!’” (282). Charles knows

from experience that laughter will help drive away the darkness. He loves Will and wants to help

him get his friend back, so he tries to get Will to help him be silly. In addition, Charles tells Will

when he is convincing him to help save Jim, “A single smile, Willy, the night people can’t stand

it. The sun’s there. They hate the sun. We can’t take them seriously, Will!” (282). The Dust

Witch dies because of a smile. Will and Charles have to use similar actions to help revive Jim.

Furthermore, When Charles is drowning Jed in love he asks, “Evil?’ Will's father laughed, which

made the boy, wasp-stung and brambled by the sound, jerk all the more violently.’” (275). Jed

flinches when he hears Charles’ laugh. Charles accepts himself and drives the fear and sorrow

out of his heart, making him more dangerous to Jed. Laughter is a symbol of release from

negative emotions and thoughts.

Laughter, love, smiles, cuteness, loyalty, and joy are all pleasant parts of everyday life.

They are also great weapons against evil. Evil feeds on other’s sorrow, strifes, and tribulations.

Like Charles accepts himself, others can two and enjoy a better life. One can increase daily use

of love and laughter so that one can be ready for those who look to feed on their sorrows.