FURTHER DISCUSSION | Tim Cummings, Writer

~ What themes do the lightning people and symbols represent?

In The Lightning People Play, the "lightning people" and the symbols they show to Baxter during his seizures carry significant thematic weight, particularly in relation to epilepsy and the experience of having seizures.

Here are some possible interpretations:

- Representations of the unknown and uncontrollable nature of epilepsy: The lightning people, with their sudden appearance and descent from the sky during Baxter's seizures, could symbolize the unpredictable and often bewildering nature of epilepsy. The "strange symbols" they show Baxter during his seizures may represent the complex and sometimes inexplicable sensations that people experience during an epileptic episode.

- Symbolic messages and a link to an "other side": Baxter's belief that the lightning people are communicating with him through symbolic messages adds a layer of mystery and potential meaning to his seizures. This connection to an "other side" could represent a metaphorical portal to a realm beyond the ordinary, where Baxter's experience of epilepsy is not just a medical condition but also a source of unique insight and connection.

- A reflection of Kirby's desire to understand and "fix" his brother's condition: Kirby, desperate to protect Baxter, may interpret the lightning people and their symbols as something he can unravel and use to help his brother. His theatrical approach to the problem, incorporating the lightning people and symbols into the play, demonstrates his creative and determined efforts to make sense of and ultimately overcome the challenges of epilepsy.

- A source of both fear and fascination: The lightning people evoke both fear and fascination, reflecting the mixed emotions associated with epilepsy. While the seizures are undoubtedly frightening, the possibility of communication and connection through the lightning people offers a sense of hope and intrigue.

- A symbol of connection and shared experience: As Kirby becomes more involved in the mystery of the lightning people, the line between his and Baxter's experiences starts to blur. The lightning people and their symbols, as shared elements in their lives, may become a symbol of their brotherly bond and their shared journey through the challenges of epilepsy.

Ultimately, the meaning of the lightning people and their symbols remains open to interpretation, allowing readers to explore the complex relationship between magic, reality, and the human experience.

~ What challenges does Kirby face putting on the play?

Kirby faces a number of challenges while putting on the play in The Lightning People Play:

- Emotional turmoil: Kirby is dealing with significant personal struggles, including his dads' marital problems and his intense fear for his younger brother Baxter's health. These anxieties add pressure to the play production, which is already a high-stakes endeavor for Kirby.

- Responsibility for Baxter's well being: Kirby feels a strong sense of responsibility to protect Baxter and find a way to help him. This weighs heavily on him throughout the play production process.

- Practical challenges of staging a play: Beyond the emotional and family issues, Kirby also faces the practical difficulties of organizing and directing a theater production, including managing rehearsals, resolving conflicts within the cast, and handling unexpected problems like illness.

- Financial pressure: The play is intended to raise money for a seizure alert dog for Baxter, which is a significant expense for the family. This financial goal adds an extra layer of stress and importance to the play's success.

- Blended reality and magic: The introduction of magical elements, like the opening of portals and the blurring of the lines between performance and reality, brings its own set of challenges to Kirby and his friends. They must navigate these unusual occurrences while trying to put on a successful play.

These challenges add depth and complexity to Kirby's journey, making the play production a pivotal experience that tests his resilience, creativity, and determination.

~ What's the significance of setting the play in a backyard forest?

Setting the play in Kirby's backyard forest in The Lightning People Play is highly significant, contributing to the novel's themes and atmosphere in several ways:

- A Realm of Imagination and Magic: Forests often symbolize the unknown, a place where reality bends and the extraordinary can occur. By choosing this setting, the novel establishes a space where the magical realism elements can flourish. It suggests that within the seemingly ordinary backyard lies a hidden realm of secrets and magic.

- Bridging the Mundane and the Mystical: The backyard forest serves as a connection between the everyday world of Kirby and his friends and the mystical world of the "lightning people". It is in this space that the lines between performance and reality begin to blur, and portals to other dimensions start to shimmer open.

- A Refuge for Creativity and Expression: The forest setting also provides Kirby and his friends with a space for creative expression and escape. As theatre kids, they can use the natural environment to craft a unique and immersive theatrical experience.

- Amplifying Themes of Love, Loyalty, and Belief: The forest setting reinforces the themes of love, loyalty, and the power of belief that run through the story. The extraordinary events that occur within the forest push the characters to confront their fears, rely on each other, and embrace the unexpected magic that unfolds.

In essence, the backyard forest setting in The Lightning People Play functions as more than just a backdrop for the play. It's an active element in the story, embodying the blend of reality and magic, fostering creativity, and amplifying the novel's central themes.

~ How does the play within the novel mirror Kirby's life?

The play that Kirby and his friends stage in The Lightning People Play functions as a powerful mirror to Kirby's own life, reflecting his personal struggles, emotions, and desires:

- Reflecting the mystery of Baxter's epilepsy: The play incorporates the "lightning people" and the strange symbols that Baxter sees during his seizures, attempting to capture the other-worldly portal Baxter seems to enter during these episodes. By externalizing this internal experience through theatre, Kirby is processing and trying to understand his brother's condition.

- Expressing Kirby's fear and desire to fix things: Kirby's intense worry for Baxter and his longing to find a way to help him are projected into the play. The play becomes his attempt to "fix" not only Baxter's epilepsy but also the cracks in his family life, such as his dads' marital problems.

- Exploring the power of love and connection: The play is driven by themes of brotherhood, love, and the strength found in connection, which are central to Kirby's relationship with Baxter and his bond with his friends.

- Allowing for creativity and self-expression: For Kirby, a gifted theatre kid, the play provides a vehicle for self-expression and a way to channel his emotions and fears into a creative outlet. Through the performance, he can explore difficult topics in a safe and imaginative way.

- Blurring the lines between reality and imagination: As the play unfolds, the line between performance and reality blurs, reflecting Kirby's own experience of trying to navigate a world where the extraordinary (Baxter's visions, portals) intersects with the ordinary.

The play within the novel is not simply a narrative device; it is an integral part of Kirby's emotional and psychological journey. It allows him to confront his deepest fears and hopes, find solace in creative expression, and ultimately embrace the magic that unfolds in his life.

~ How does the magical realism function in the story?

In The Lightning People Play, the magical realism element centers around the mysterious figures of the "lightning people" and the portals that open during the course of the story. Here's how magical realism functions in the book:

The Lightning People: Kirby's younger brother, Baxter, who has epilepsy, starts seeing these enigmatic beings during his seizures. These figures deliver cryptic messages and symbols, blurring the line between Baxter's personal experience with his illness and a potentially larger, more mystical reality. The novel deliberately leaves their exact nature open to interpretation, allowing readers to consider them as products of Baxter's unique perception or as genuine paranormal entities.
Blurring the lines of reality: The story takes place in the slightly enchanted town of Weirville, where the backdrop itself suggests a permeability between the mundane and the magical. The backyard forest, where the play is staged, further serves as a liminal space where the boundaries between performance and reality begin to dissolve, and portals to other dimensions start to shimmer open.
Magic intertwined with emotion: Instead of presenting fantastical elements as isolated phenomena, the book integrates them seamlessly with the characters' emotional experiences and struggles. The "lightning people" and their messages are not just abstract occurrences but are deeply connected to Baxter's illness, Kirby's desire to help him, and the family's anxieties. This approach allows the magical elements to resonate on a deeper, more meaningful level.
Open to interpretation: The magical realism in the book isn't about giving definitive explanations for supernatural events, but rather about inviting readers to consider how these elements can reflect and amplify the emotional and psychological realities of the characters. The "lightning people" can be seen as symbols of the unknown aspects of illness, the fears and hopes associated with it, or even as expressions of the power of creativity and storytelling to grapple with difficult experiences.

Overall, the magical realism contributes to its unique blend of poignant family drama, sensitive exploration of epilepsy, and a celebration of the power of imagination and art to navigate challenges and find meaning in the midst of uncertainty.