CBLDF Discussion Guide Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman with art by Sam Keith, Mike Dringenberg, & lalcolm Jones III Given their visual nature, comies are easy targets for would-be censors. CBLDFS Discussion Guides are tools that can be used to lead conversations about challenged graphic novels and 10 help allay misconceptions about comies Synopsis readers are introduced to the series” central character, Dream, After 70 years imprisonment by an occultist and his son, Dr am must undertake a journey recover three objects of power: & pouch of sand, a helm, and «ruby, In doing so, Dream battles « drug addiet, demon, and macman and incurs the wrath of Lucifer. The volume collects the first eight issues of the series and also introduces readers to Dream's older sister, Death Themes Hero’s journey, revet picking up the pieces, taking responsibility for one’s actions Reasons Chall Unsuited 10 age Suggested Age Range High school ane! up Discussion Questions Remembering 1. What are some of the other names used to refer to Dream used throughout Prefades and Nacinenes? 2, What are some ways in which Dream’s appearance ¢ based on who is interacting with hin? Underst 3. What are some visual and verbal cues in “Dream a Little Dream if Me” that foreshadow the events that will take place Applying 4, What isthe importance of names in Pre 1 Nocturnes? 5. How are lettering styles and word balloon styles employed to differentiate characters and evens in the story? Analyzing 6. In“24 Hours,” how do Bette’s story versions of the customers in the cafe contrast with the aetual behavior and thoughts of the characters? How do the artists use visual elements to differentiate between the battle between Doctor Destiny and Dream and the dithe world? parallel story relat pe impaet of Doctor Destiny’s actions on people arou 8. The fonts and word balloon style used for Death's speech is very similar to that used for other mortal human charae- ters in the story. How does this ject Death’s relationship with humans? rie Book Legal Detonse Fund + wmscbictorgEvaluating 9. Dreamn’s face isn’t revealed until more than 20 pages of the story have passed, Why do you think the creators chose to ‘wait to reveal his appearance? 10. After his eseape, Dream expresses hhis anger over his imprisonment, What is he most angry about: that he was cape tured in the first place, that he was captured by a mortal human, or that he was imprisoned for 70 years? Explain your reasoning 11. How does Gaiman's depiction of Death differ from classic depictions of the character, such as the Grim Reaper? Creating 12, What impact do you think Dream's imprisonment will have on his aetions in future volumes of the series? Activities Poster Project Several characters from the DC Comies universe make an appearance in Preludes and Nocturnes. John Constantine. Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle, Searecrow, Wesley Dodds, and Doctor Destiny are just few of the characters that Gaiman included in the volume, Choose one of these characters and investigate his or her origin, Use what you hearn to make a poster that compares previous incarnations of the character to Gaiman's version of the character Writing In “24 Hours,” the character Bette writes shom stories about the people who visit her cafe. Protend you are Bete, and write a short story about Doctor Destiny or Dream, Give the character you chose the “happy ending” that Bette usually gives the subjects other short stores, Di The Hecateae are given several different names during Preludes and Nocturnes, Research these names and idemily the se the Mother-Maiden-Crone mythos on whieh the character is based, Use what you learn 10 history of the character. ital Presentation For more about atsempts to censor Sandman, visit harp-ebldfong basied-comiebanned-chatlenged-comies! case-studr-sandnan CELDF Discussion Guide: Sandman: Proludes and Nocturnes + paye2 ©2014 Comic Book Legal Dolonse FursCBLDF Discussion Guide Sandman: The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman with art by Michael Zulli, Chris Bachalo, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones IIL, & Steve Parkhouse be censors. CBLDF ’ Discussion that can be used t0 lead conversations about ¢ Given their visual nature, comics are easy fargets for ¥ Gi wo help les are too! ins about coniies Synopsis Inthe second volume of Neil Gaiman's Sandman, The Doll's House, Dream embarks on another quest: the retrieval of .0, Dream encounters a false Sandman, battles his most terrifying ereation, takes down a foung woman who can break down the walls benween dreamers convention of serial killers. and threatens the life of The book also introduces thre snore members of the Endless: Destiny. Desi and Despair Themes Deception and manipulation, spurned love, family. ttiendship, loneliness, sacrifice Reasons Chall Unsuited 10 age Suggested Age Range High school ane! up Discussion Questions Remembering 1. Deseribe each of the four dreams that Dream is trying to track down in The Dots Howse, Whieh is most dangerous? 2. Why doesn’t Hob Gadling die? Underst 3. What are some examples of visual or verbal puns in The Doll’ House? 4. Why does Dream feel obliged to destroy Rose Walker? Apply 5. In part four of The Dolls House, the relationship between Dream and Hob Gadling is explored, What visual cues portray the passage of time in the chapter? 6. What purpose does the C inthian most likely serve in the Dreaming? Analyzing 7. The character of Destiny is introduced in a text-based passage at the beginning of the book, Why do you think Gaiman decided to prose to introduce the character instead of artwork? 8. How does the arwork in the book change when depicting Rose's dreams? How does it change when depicting the Corinthians point of view? 9, Why is Dream offended when Hob Gadling suggests that their bundred-year visits are the result of friendship? rie Book Legal Detonse Fund + wmscbictorg