39 pages 1 hour read

Ray Bradbury

The Halloween Tree

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1972

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Chapters 12-16

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 12 Summary

As soon as the boys have landed in ancient Britain, Samhain, the Druid god of the dead, starts slicing the air with his scythe, harvesting the souls of sinners. These appear in the form of small, worm-sized creatures that swarm over the boys.

The boys flee, not wanting to die at Samhain’s hand. When a frightened dog scampers by, Tom is certain it is Pipkin, particularly when it appears to yap with Pipkin’s voice. In the distance, they hear him trying to tell them where to meet him.

Chapter 13 Summary

Samhain prepares to wield his scythe again but freezes as he hears people singing near a bonfire at the top of a hill. They are Druid priests, praying that Samhain will accept an animal sacrifice in exchange for the souls of their loved ones. Their prayer causes the tiny souls to float away to heaven, freed from Samhain’s grasp.

Roman soldiers rush across the hill, felling trees and declaring their mission to destroy the Druid religion. As they chop the trees, Samhain falls dead with a thunderous impact like a mighty oak.

The Romans erect new golden idols and altars to their gods.

Related Titles

By Ray Bradbury

Plot Summary

logo

A Graveyard for Lunatics

Ray Bradbury

A Graveyard for Lunatics

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

All Summer In A Day

Ray Bradbury

All Summer In A Day

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

Dandelion Wine

Ray Bradbury

Dandelion Wine

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed

Ray Bradbury

Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed

Ray Bradbury

Plot Summary

logo

Death is a Lonely Business

Ray Bradbury

Death is a Lonely Business

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

Marionettes, Inc.

Ray Bradbury

Marionettes, Inc.

Ray Bradbury

Plot Summary

logo

Selected from Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed

Ray Bradbury

Selected from Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Ray Bradbury

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

The Other Foot

Ray Bradbury

The Other Foot

Ray Bradbury

Study Guide

logo

The Pedestrian

Ray Bradbury

The Pedestrian: A Fantasy in One Act

Ray Bradbury

Plot Summary

logo

The Toynbee Convector

Ray Bradbury

The Toynbee Convector

Ray Bradbury