'Salem's Lot Mortality

Just about everybody dies in 'Salem's Lot. Good guys, bad guys, folks in the middle: they all get taken out by murder, suicide, heart attacks, car crashes, cancer—you name it. Some people die once and stay dead; other folks die and come back to life… and, if they're lucky, die again. In this book, death is terrifying but also beautiful, with its perfect skin and big, hypnotic eyes. If you could just get to death, you wouldn't need to be afraid of death, the novel seems to say.

Questions About Mortality

1. Is death always evil in 'Salem's Lot? Explain your answer.
2. Who does not die in 'Salem's Lot? Do these characters escape randomly, or do they have characteristics in common?
3. Does Ben find death appealing or beautiful? Explain your answer.

Chew on This

The most important death in 'Salem's Lot is Hubie Marsten's, which causes all that follows.

The most important death in 'Salem's Lot is Ralphie Glick's, which causes all that follows.

The most important death in 'Salem's Lot is Miranda Mears', which causes all that follows.