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1. In what way does Roald Dahl immediately alert the readers to the fact that they are reading a sequel?

Dahl alerts his readers very early on that they are reading a sequel. He signifies this by writing as the very first words of the novel, "The last time we saw Charlie, he was riding high above his home town in the Great Glass Elevator" (1).

2. What elements of the first chapter suggest that Dahl knew that some readers of the novel would not have read its prequel?

In just one example that shows Dahl's awareness that not all of his readers would have read the novel's prequel, he provides a list of character descriptions a few sentences into the text. He adds "(just to remind you)" (1) as a qualifier, but his intentions are clear.

3. Discuss the characteristics and resulting symbolism of the elevator buttons.

The elevator buttons are non-descript and the great majority are unmarked with any type of symbol or sign. There are thousands of these buttons lining every surface of the glass elevator, so therefore they symbolize an unknown fate.

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