Stephen King's Carrie - Research Paper Example

?Stephen King’s Carrie An Study and Mock Work Background Check Stephen King is an of extraordinary talent and has published a large number of novels, many of which have been made into movies. He has played a role in many of the movies of his novels, and has also had significant input in directing many of them. Stephen King was born in 1947, in Portland, Maine. His first foray into writing was working on the weekly column for his college newspaper, The Maine Campus. His first professional short story was The Glass Floor, which was published in 1967 in Startling Mystery Stories. The first novel he published was Carrie in 1973 . The number of works that Stephen King has published to date is large, and although announcing that he planned to retire in 2002, continues to publish . Indeed, he considers himself addicted to writing, needing it in the same way that an addict may need beer or cocaine . He is generally attributed to the horror genera, although his more recent published works focus also on the extremes of human emotions and imagination A list of some of his works is given below, but this includes only a small sample of the number of novels and short stories that Stephen King has written , now having more than 40 published books . Carrie, 1974 Salem’s Lot, 1975 The Dead Zone, 1979 The Firestarter, 1980 The Dark Tower Series, 1982 onwards Four Past Midnight, 1990 Insomnia, 1994 The Green Mile, 1997 Dreamcatcher, 2001 Lisey’s Story, 2006 11/22/63: A Novel, 2011 Summary Set in 1979 in the New England town of Chamberlain, Carrie is the story of a shy teenage girl named Carrie White. All of her life she has been mistreated both by her mother, who was Christian fundamentalist, and by her school mates who bullied her since the first grade. As the novel progresses Carrie discovers her telekinetic powers, and attempts to keep them hidden and under control. However, she is pushed to the limit emotionally on prom night and retaliates by using her powers to kill those at the prom, only a few manage to escape. She then returns home to exact revenge upon her mother. Author Analysis In Carrie Stephen King makes use of documents within the text, including newspaper articles, letters, book exerts and magazine articles to tell much of the story. The remainder is told from a third-person perspective, and introduces characters and events before describing them, so that the reader learns about the situation by observing it rather than having it explained to them. Conflict is the major driver of the plot for this novel. Internally, Carrie is attempting to learn and to control a growing power in her, but she is being pushed emotionally and physically by those around her. The conflict eventually leads her to lash out in anger and a desperate desire for revenge. The themes of supernatural and horror are common throughout Stephen King’s works, and in many ways they define him as an author. Many of his novels look at the way humans behave and respond under extraordinary circumstances or when given powers that are beyond that of an everyday human. Mock Work Published in the Harbinger Journal, May 17, 1989. A young couple were found dead in a clearing of the forest a short way off McKenzie Road late yesterday afternoon. The circumstances surrounding the deaths are entirely unprecedented, and the local police are doing everything in their power to determine the events that led up to it. Anyone with any information on the whereabouts, or activities of Mr. Marc Spence or Ms. Tanya Addams in the last week please contact Constable John Edwards immediately. It had been hours since anyone had seen her. Tanya had vanished like a phantom, a flick of the ever present red braid and she was gone, leaving Mrs. Andrews, a stocky and overly motherly Science teacher, and a good deal of the class searching the rocks and trees for her for hours. Mrs. Janine Andrews wrung her hands nervously, sweat beading on her forehead and the small of her back and tried not to think of the consequences of losing a student on a nature hike. The principal put her hand on the woman’s shoulder, trying not to shudder at the dampness, and sat her down. “When did you last see her?” She asked. That was the required question. Not how did you lose a student? Not do you know what this will do to the school? It wasn’t the time to remind the tub of lard in front of her that not only was Tanya one of their students, but she was the daughter of the richest man in town. “I…I don’t know.” Mrs. Andrews sniffed, trying to hold back the tears that were rapidly building behind her eyes. “Before lunch some time I suppose.” Principal Ada sighed. “She’s hardly a quiet girl. Have you contacted her father yet?” From the Journal of Ada Jamison, May 28, 1987. You would perhaps pass her by in a second. Mousy brown hair and brown eyes, there is nothing extraordinary about Violetta Summers. She passes her courses, but her grades are average at best. Yet, there is something. Something about her that doesn’t quite make sense. She knows things that no one knows, that no one could know… Science class had turned into nearly a zoo. Some of the jocks had pushed tables together and were climbing on them, while the popular females got out their makeup and sat around in little groups talking. Violetta stared without focus across the classroom, aware of the jock on her right, Marc Spence. “You’re going to stand her up?” She sing-songed silently. He turned sharply, looking confused. “Aww… but she only wants to talk.” Violetta continued. “What’s the harm in that?” Panic was growing in the young man’s eyes and Violetta smiled. “Are you going to tell her you’re seeing someone else? Or shall I?” The panic grew to terror and he leaped forward, barreling out of the room. Violetta smiled to herself, packing her things slowly, placing her backpack on just as the bell for the end of day rang. She sat stock still on a rock in a forest clearing, her legs gathered up beneath her and her back straight. Already it had been hours and she knew, as she had known all along, that he wouldn’t come. Since when did men ever live up to their responsibilities? Something would have to be done. The leaves shuffled and she looked up, seeing a figure move through the brush. She drew the gun from her bag and pointed it in the direction, making sure the safety was off. “Marc?” She asked. The reply was not verbal, but somehow within her own head. “Not yet, but soon.” Tanya flinched as she saw the young woman emerge from the bushes. Marc’s ex, the girl who had been dating him well over a year before… “Before you stole him.” “Get out of my head!” Tanya yelled. “But it’s such a fun, fun place.” Violetta teased back. “Oh I know everything you are going to tell him. About the baby? But you have so much more to offer him than I did, don’t you? He’s coming… better be ready.” Terror flooded Tanya’s mind as Marc stepped into the clearing. “Marc run!” She yelled. Her arms were raising the gun once more, of their own accord and she felt her fingers inching toward the trigger. Marc had half turned to see Violetta and was staring at her in confusion. “Goodbye.” Violetta smiled. A single shot rang out in the forest, followed by an anguished cry and a second shot. Violetta walked out of the forest smiling. Works Cited Read More