The Dead Zone

Herb and Vera’s marriage grows increasingly strained. How does King portray the clash between Vera’s faith and Herb’s practicality? What might King be suggesting about how beliefs connect or divide people?

Compare and contrast Dodd and Stillson. Which of these two antagonists is Johnny more obligated to confront? Does King portray them as equally evil?

How do Sarah and Johnny mourn the loss of their relationship? How does this mourning compare to other losses in the novel?

Explore the ways that Johnny’s “dead zone” functions as a metaphor for various kinds of denial and hidden truths in the novel. Cite at least five examples from the text.

The novel uses letters, reports, and articles to provide a different perspective on the narrative. How do these narrative forms affect the presentation of Johnny’s story?

Throughout the novel, characters must resolve the tension between medical expertise and the supernatural. What relationship does King suggest between them?

Johnny’s success with Chuck shows him how he might have succeeded as a teacher. How does Johnny’s personal and professional background affect his desire to help others with his new abilities?

With his power, Johnny could achieve fame and fortune, but he prefers privacy. What is Jonny’s most pressing motivation?