Middle of the Night

Analyze the dynamics of Ethan and Billy’s friendship. What factors contribute to Ethan and Billy’s feelings of betrayal, and how do these feelings influence their actions throughout the story?

Discuss how the story blurs the line between reality and the supernatural. How do the characters’ beliefs and experiences with the supernatural affect their perceptions and actions?

Examine the role of parental influence in the story. How do Ethan, Billy, and Russ’s parents impact their choices and perceptions of the world? How do Ethan and Russ think of their parents as models—either positive or negative—for their own later roles as parents?

How does fear of the unknown, fear of social ostracism, and fear of supernatural forces influence Ethan’s behavior? Are there other characters whose lives are shaped by fear?

Explore how the settings of the forest and the Hawthorne Institute contribute to the story’s atmosphere. How do these locations enhance the tension and mystery?

Discuss the role of guilt in the story. How do Ethan and Ashley’s experiences with guilt shape their characters and actions in both the past and present timelines?

Analyze the influence of peer pressure on the characters’ actions. How do the group dynamics affect Russ and Ethan’s choices, and what does this reveal about their core values?

How does Middle of the Night blend elements of the horror genre with those of the thriller or mystery genres? In what ways does it uphold genre conventions and expectations, and in what ways does it subvert or challenge them?