Ghosts Guests
Who is the first ghost to enter the elevator with Will?
Buck.
Identify the speaker, explain the meaning of the quote.
“Another thing about the rules. They weren’t meant to be broken. They were meant for the broken to follow.”
Will. It shows how deeply he believes in the rules as a way of life for people who are hurting.
What tragic event happens at the beginning of Long Way Down that sets the story in motion?
Shawn, Will's older brother, has been shot and killed.
What is the first rule Will follows after Shawn's death?
No crying.
What emotion does Will say he’s not supposed to show after Shawn dies?
Crying—he says he’s not allowed to cry.
How does Will know Dani, the second person who enters the elevator?
She was his childhood friend who was shot and killed in front of him when they were kids.
Who repeats this question in the elevator and for what purpose?
“You ever think about that? You ever think about that?”
Buck. He’s pushing Will to question whether killing Riggs will really fix anything.
What item does Will take from Shawn’s drawer before leaving the apartment?
Shawn's gun.
Why does Will believe the rules are so important?
He believes the rules are a way to survive in the neighborhood, and following them is part of being strong.
Why does Will feel like he has to kill Riggs?
Because “the rules” say he must get revenge for his brother’s death.
What is the significance of Buck giving Shawn the gun that Will now has?
It shows the generational cycle of violence, and that Shawn got the gun from someone who also lived by “the rules.”
What literary device is being used here and what does it show us about Will's state of mind?
“He knew. And Will knew he knew. And Will knew he knew he knew.”
Repetition. It shows the intensity of Will’s internal conflict and the pressure he feels to follow through with “the rules.”
What unusual thing happens each time the elevator stops on a floor?
A new person enters the elevator—someone who has died and is connected to Will’s story.
How does Will react when he starts questioning the rules during his ride in the elevator?
Defensive. He starts feeling unsure about whether the rules are really helping him or just causing more pain. He’s torn between following them and making a different choice.
What internal conflict does Will begin to experience after meeting Buck and Dani in the elevator?
He starts to doubt whether following the rules and killing Riggs is the right thing to do.
How does the appearance of Dani in the elevator force Will to confront his past and his feelings about her death?
Dani's appearance makes Will face the traumatic memory of her being shot in front of him. It forces him to reflect on his role in not being able to save her and challenges his feelings about violence and revenge.
"You smoke?"
"You shoot?"
Who said it and why do they say this to Will? What do they want him to understand about the decision Will is about to make?
Dani. She says this to Will to get him to understand that this decision will define him. The trajectory of his life will change with this decision and it's not some "little thing".
What decision does Will make at the beginning of the book, right after Shawn’s death? Why?
Will decides to follow the rules and seek revenge on the person who killed his brother, Riggs. "The Rules" is all Will has ever known and it has become the way he can "handle" his grief.
What does Buck’s perspective on the rules reveal about how Will might be able to break the cycle of violence?
Buck tries to show Will that the rules might not be the answer. He hints that there’s more to life than revenge and following the cycle, suggesting Will has the power to make his own choices.
How does the setting of the elevator reflect Will’s mental and emotional state?
The elevator is a confined space, symbolizing how trapped he feels—by grief, expectations, and the rules. As the elevator descends, it mirrors his descent into confusion and emotional turmoil.
What does Buck’s ghost reveal about the generational cycle of violence, and how does it affect Will’s choices?
Buck talks about his own experiences with violence and how it shaped his life. He gives Will insight into how the cycle of revenge and violence keeps repeating, suggesting that Will has the chance to break it, but only if he chooses a different path.
What does this line reveal about Will’s understanding of violence, and how does it relate to the theme of family and revenge?
“But if the blood inside you is on the inside of someone else, you never want to see it on the outside of them.”
It shows the emotional and psychological pain caused by seeing a loved one hurt. It complicates the idea of revenge by making Will realize that harm to someone else is still harm to a part of himself.
What is the significance of the elevator ride, and what does it symbolize for Will as he moves down to each floor?
The elevator ride represents Will’s journey through his grief, confusion, and guilt. As he moves down, each floor brings him closer to confronting his past, with each ghost that enters forcing him to face different aspects of his life and decisions.
How does the story suggest that the rules are not just about violence, but about expectations of masculinity and strength?
The rules are tied to the idea of what it means to be a “man” in Will’s world—no crying, always being tough, and seeking revenge. The story challenges this view by showing that real strength might come from breaking the rules and showing vulnerability instead of following the cycle of violence.
How does Will’s imagination help him deal with his pain, and what does it make you wonder about his story?
Will uses his imagination to make sense of what’s happening—like the ghosts in the elevator. It helps him deal with his grief and fear. But it also makes you wonder if everything he’s seeing is real or just in his head, which means we can’t be totally sure if his version of the story is 100% real.