The Screaming Staircase

Annabel’s necklace is found in the opening scene and becomes a prominent symbol and plot device in the novel. What is the symbolism and other significance behind Annabel Ward’s necklace, and why does Lucy become so attached to it?

Lockwood’s home is the setting for many of the novel’s key events. How does 35 Portland Row act as an extension of Lockwood’s personality, and what do the vivid descriptions of its many secrets and fascinations add to the mood and imagery of the story? Select and analyze at least three to four quotes from the text to prove your point.

The novel’s protagonist, Lucy, has faced more in her young life than many do in a lifetime. In what ways is Lucy beyond her years, how did she come to be this way, and how do her actions and thoughts occasionally remind the reader that she’s still a child? Be sure to discuss at least three examples from the novel.