The story takes place in 1914. Besides the onset of World War I in 1917, what other historical events were taking place in the United States at that time?

All Stephen King’s works are set in Maine. However, like Castle Rock, the town of Motton is fictional. In your opinion, why might the author have chosen to set his stories in fictional locations, rather than real ones?

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story “Young Goodman Brown” inspired “The Man in the Black Suit.” Read Hawthorne’s story and compare or contrast three elements not discussed in this guide.