Pet Sematary

Why is the novel divided into three sections? How do these sections correspond to the narrative arc and thematic elements of the novel? If you were the author, would you arrange the novel differently? Why or why not?

If you were Louis, would you have made the same decision to bury Rachel? What about reburying Gage in the MicMac ground? Why do you think Louis makes the same mistake over and over? 

How does King, through Lewis and Jud define masculinity? What role does masculinity play in the thematic elements and narrative arc of the novel?

King identifies this book as the most disturbing novel he has ever written. Why do you think this is the case? What aspects of this book terrified you the most?

Critics have stated that the reason this book is so horrifying is not because it revolves around death, but rather as a result of its conclusions concerning life. Do you agree with this statement—that the book concerns life, not death? Why or why not?

What roles do lies and secrecy play within the novel? How do they affect the characters in the novel? How do they interact with both plot and theme?

What role does possession play in the novel? How does the act of possessing things—like property, for instance—interact with the possession of characters by the evil burial ground spirit?

Are you satisfied with the ending of the novel? If you were the author, would you have decided to end the novel differently?