Under the Dome: Predictions

A little more than a third into the book, I've made a few predictions here and there about what's going to happen. The big Question is obviously where in the world did this giant dome come from? At first I thought that it was the government conducting a secret experiment while saying that the dome is "an act of terrorism" (I never thought it was terrorism from another country in the first place). However, now I have a hunch that Big Jim, the town's second selectman, has something to do with it.

Big Jim was a shifty character from the beginning, manipulating others in order to get what he wants. Even though he's the second selectman, he pretty much runs the show around the small town of Chester's Mill. I like to think of him as a little dictator. He keeps ordering the chief of police to hire more "cops" (Since a handful of the real cops were caught outside the dome Big Jim had him hire some brutal teenagers to help control the crowds)."More? We've got eighteen already, counting the part-timers and the new deputies." (Chief Randolph)pg. 352 Since Big Jim keeps requesting more cops, I believe he is trying to ensure his power by using force. The new teenage "cops" are brutal and break the law while on duty, and certainly do not care about the citizens' safety.

Also, something that caught my eye, is that when the U.S government was going to shoot a missile at the dome, Big Jim seemed as if he didn't want it to work. Of course, he played it cool, though. "Randolph looked at him curiously. 'Didn't you want it to work?'" Big Jim grimaced as his shoulder twinged. 'Of course, but I never thought it would...'"pg.352 It almost sounds as if Big Jim was thinking 'Sure, we'll try this to make you guys happy'.

Big Jim and his allies also stole a large amount of propane tanks from various places around the town. Now since the power was cut off, the only thing giving the town electricity is generators that most of the business have since the town's power company isn't the best.The generators that practically keep the town running run on propane. So if Big Jim stole a bunch of tanks, then perhaps he is planning to use them to stay in power when everyone else runs out of propane. To me, it sounds as if he expects the dome to stay for a long time. Think about it: If the town runs out of propane, there is no electricity. Big Jim would be the only one with a surplus supply. So in theory, he would control the town, rationing propane the the others while everyone is trapped under the dome.

Comment who you think is responsible for the dome!