Needful Things

To what extent are the lives of Castle Rock’s inhabitants defined by what their neighbors think about them? Choose three characters and explain how Leland Gaunt twists their perceptions of their friends and neighbors.

How does Leland convince people do things that they would never normally do? Who acts uncharacteristically after purchasing something, and who plays a prank or commits a crime that seems in character? Support your response with examples from the text.

What is the broader philosophical significance of the rivalry between the Catholics and Baptists? Why is Casino Night the catalyst for so much destruction?