Premium Essay

Criticism Of Stephen King

Submitted By
Words 1816
Pages 8
“People must think that I am a very strange person. This is not correct. I have the heart of a small boy. It is in a glass jar on my desk” (Stephen King). Stephen King: father, husband, most famous horror writer of all time. With many successful books, Stephen King has quickly made himself the most renowned author of the horror genre and can prove it from the countless awards he has received like the British Fantasy Award, Edgar Grand Master Award, and Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction. Because so many of his books are successful, many of them have been adapted into mini series on television or even into movies. Most notably the screen adaptations for The Shining (1980) and It (1990 and 2017) are what most people immediately think about. …show more content…
While most people enjoy King’s unsettling way of writing, some criticize him for the disturbingness he brings into his novels. With all of Stephen King’s success and controversy it is hard for people not to be influenced by what he says and writes. Stephen King has changed the way people view writing and the horror genre in general. Stephen King, one of the most criticized and iconic authors to date, had and still has a lasting impact on American culture. Stephen Edwin King was born on September 21, 1947, in Portland, Maine. Growing up without a father, King did not have the happiest childhood, but as K.S. Coddon says in his article, “This is where King obtained his inspiration to start writing.” King was only seven when he started copying different comic …show more content…
With Stephen King’s many successful works, he has single-handedly changed the way people perceive the horror genre. People do not read King for just entertainment, people read King to face their fears. King writes from his personal experiences which is what makes his horror so thrilling because to a point, his writing is realistic. An article called Criticism of Stephen (Edwin) King states, “If someone in the future wants to see what American life was like, what Americans cared about, what our stories were in the seventies and eighties, they’ll read Stephen King” (2003). The article even claims that in 50 years Stephen King will be regarded as “the dominant literary figure of the time” (2003). With over 30 awards for his writing, Stephen King has become one of the most successful writers in modern time and because of this he has made a lasting impact in the world of

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

A Flawed Justice System

...Alejandro Delgado Professor Wolf British Literature February 23, 2012 A Flawed Justice System When a society has a problem and it needs to be dealt with in a fair manner, the society turns to its judicial system, which lays down the rules of how to go about the case and determine the punishment. There were many different societies that enforced a law system according to their needs and population, and this goes the same for the era. Ben Jonson and Jonathan Swift are two very popular and well respected authors of satire, who have made stories that made society question the judicial system that they carried. Ben Jonson satirizes the judicial system in his play Volpone, a story of an old but sneaky man who manipulated people into giving him things for the possibility of becoming the heir of his grand fortune. Jonathan Swift mocks the way England is carried out politically in Gulliver’s Travels, the story of Lemuel Gulliver who travels by sea to four different lands and learns of their habits whilst comparing them to England and opening his eyes to the flaws of England. One of the most crucial points in the story of Volpone would be the case of Bonario and Celia, who are being falsely accused by Corvino, Voltore and Corbaccio, who are currently competing for the position of becoming Volpone’s heir. Jonson mocks the system by simply giving full control to the men of power and portraying the avocatores as very gullible men. Before entering the court, the...

Words: 1197 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Research Paper: Stephen King

...someone who everyone would be familiar with, regardless of whether they are a fan or not. I choose to write about the very famous author, Stephen King. Stephen King has always fascinated me, not only as an author but as a person. This is a man who seems to have an imagination that is never ending, with a soul and mind so dark, is it beyond compare. How else could you write and publish over 60 horror books? All of which are unique, intense, and ultimately terrifying. My question is, who is this person and what is it that inspires this creativity and horror? As a child, I grew up in a household of readers. There was never a time I that I can recall my mother, father, brothers, or myself not having one or more books that each of us were reading. My mother’s favorite author was (and is) Stephen King. There was something that intrigued me about this, though I was not allowed to read most of his works for the longest time; of course my mother was concerned that they would be inappropriate for me to read. This only made the intrigue of the author that much more. Once I was old enough to begin discovering his works, I started to understand the attraction. He’s book were like mental train wrecks; there were times when all you wanted to do was put the book down, but couldn’t seem to do so. Even though I have known what a phenomenal author Stephen King is, I feel as though I have always had the burning question, what is it that inspires and drives him? He was the first thing to cross my...

Words: 3352 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Poetry

...Annie Salinas Professor King English 1302 May 3,2012 Literary Research Paper In the late 1800’s there was a great legend made in the history of poetry. Emily Dickinson, a famous American Poet who resided in Amherst Massachusetts, was born to a successful family who was thought of highly by many members of the community. Although, her reluctance to meet and greet people and her reputation of keeping to herself, made people think of her as strange and anti-social. Dickinson studied at the Amherst Academy in Massachusetts. However, even though Dickinson did not have many relationships with friends or people, this did not stop her from making the best out of her career. As a private prolific poet, Dickson was blessed with great success dealing with her poetry. She has had about one thousand eight hundred of her poems published in her life time, including After great pain, a formal feeling comes, and I heard a Fly buzz-when I died-; two poems which Dickinson is popular for today. These two poems strongly illustrate a theme of death and dying, to assist the reader understand and analyze the depth of this theme; Dickinson uses strong symbolism, tone, and figurative language throughout her works. Dickinson’s symbolism throughout these two poems is strong and magnificent. In After great pain, a formal feeling comes the author uses many objects to symbolize feelings having to relate with the major theme of death and dying. “The nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs” (line...

Words: 1166 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Literary Review of Carrie by Stephen King

...Tyler Viator Due: March 5, 2015 English 2123 Lisa Nohner A Mother’s Influence Stephen King’s novel, Carrie, is the story of a girl who uncovers her unique ability on her path to womanhood and power. Stephen King wrote his story about Carrie three years after he graduated from college. During the 1970s, while King was in college, he was transformed by the idea of Women’s Liberation and how it would influence both males and females. King used interstitial, grotesque, sexual, gender, power, and violent literary elements with components of the European and American gothic genre to create a Supernatural Horror/Drama that reflected on life during the time period. Carrie White was raised by her widowed mother, Margaret White, on Carlin St. in Chamberlain, Maine during the mid 1970s. Throughout Carrie’s childhood, she was the subject of mental and physical abuse. Her mother and late father, Ralph White, were religious zealots who attempted to conceal Carrie from the outside world. Often times, when Carrie acted out, Margaret would inflict physical pain upon herself and sentence Carrie the closet to punish her for her wrongdoings. The abuse did not stop at home. At the age of 17, Carry had her first menstrual cycle in the girls’ shower of her high school Ewan Consolidated High School. After the girls recognized Carrie’s confusion and panic, they began to collectively ridicule her until Mrs. Desjardin, their instructor could come to Carrie’s aid. On the way home from school that...

Words: 2050 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Glory After Death In Beowulf Research Paper

...Mr. Farrington English 3 23 October 2016 The Significance of Glory After Death in Beowulf and History In Beowulf, the aspect of attaining glory throughout one’s life is an integral part of their culture. Warriors battle to protect their land, serve their king, and to be remembered and have their legacy carry on after they have died. People such as these worked their entire lives, and dedicated them to serving their country and king as a way to attain glory themselves. The comitatus, or the bind between a king and his people, shows that the people of Beowulf’s time fought together, as one united people, and that even kings were willing to lay their lives down in the line of duty to protect their nation and to attain the...

Words: 784 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Stephen Curry's Discussion

...It’s difficult to talk about the two-time NBA MVP and world champion Stephen Curry without bringing up his rise from an undersized, scrawny point guard to the baby-faced assassin of the Association. And in Kevin Pelton’s excellent article, he does just that, bringing Curry up as one of the prime examples of UPenn Professor Angela Duckworth’s new definition of “grit”: “passion and perseverance for long-term goals.” Indeed, he is deserving of the praise, overcoming the many doubts surrounding him entering the league and inspiring young players, showing them that you don’t need to be a freak athlete along the lines of LeBron James to have success at the highest level. But six-foot-three isn’t exactly short or undersized in the NBA at the point guard position. In fact, according to Draft King,...

Words: 1040 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Hamlet's Ghost/ Influencing Obsessions

...In Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, the ghost of the late King Hamlet has influenced his son to become obsessed with the idea of death. When young Hamlet is informed of the ghost’s sighting, he is anxious and curious to find out who this ghost is and what news it has to deliver. After the ghost reveals himself as Hamlet’s deceased father, Hamlet’s curiosity increases. The ghost divulges to Hamlet that his brother, Claudius, poisoned him to take his life as well as his throne, which infuriates young Hamlet. After this shocking revelation, Hamlet becomes obsessed with thoughts of death and avenging his father’s murder, which contributes to his insanity. When Hamlet speaks to his father’s ghost, his father insists that Hamlet avenge his death by killing Claudius. The ghost explains to his son that King Claudius has corrupted the nation of Denmark, has robbed him of his own life, and therefore, achieving revenge is crucial. After conversing with the ghost, Hamlet vows to seek vengeance on Claudius. This “seeking” of vengeance very quickly turns into an obsession. Hamlet’s every thought seems to revolve around his plot to kill Claudius, causing friends and family to express concern over his strange behaviors. Rumors begin to travel around Denmark that Hamlet has “gone mad,” while Hamlet claims to only be feigning his insanity. Hamlet’s soliloquy where he contemplates suicide is one example of his obsession with death. Amidst the stresses of planning Claudius’ murder, Hamlet even considers...

Words: 1731 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

British Modern

...MODERN BRITISH LITERATURE (c. 1900 to 1950) READING LIST Please note that there are two lists below. The first is the full list with the core readings in bold; the second is the core list separated out. You are responsible for all core readings and may incorporate readings from the full list into your tailored list. Unless otherwise noted, selections separated by commas indicate all works students should know. A. FICTION Beckett, Samuel. One of the following: Murphy, Watt, Molloy Bennett, Arnold. Clayhanger Bowen, Elizabeth. The Heat of the Day Butler, Samuel. The Way of All Flesh Chesterton, G.K. The Man Who Was Thursday Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness AND one of: Lord Jim, The Secret Agent, Nostromo, Under Western Eyes Ford, Ford Madox. The Good Soldier Forster, E. M. Howards End, A Passage to India (plus the essays “What I Believe” and “The Challenge of Our Times” in Two Cheers for Democracy) Galsworthy, John. The Man of Property Greene, Graham. One of: Brighton Rock, The Power and the Glory, The Heart of the Matter Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World Joyce, James. Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Ulysses Kipling, Rudyard. Kim Lawrence, D. H. Two of: Sons and Lovers, Women in Love, The Rainbow, The Plumed Serpent Lewis, Wyndham. Tarr, manifestos in BLAST 1 Mansfield, Katherine. “Prelude,” “At the Bay,” “The Garden Party,” “The Daughters of the Late Colonel” (in Collected Stories) Orwell, George. 1984 (or Aldous Huxley, Brave New World) Wells, H. G. One of the...

Words: 2557 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Nonviolent Movements, Effective Results

...Johnson Dec. 9, 2013 Nonviolent Movements, Effective Results Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail” is a response to criticism from American clergymen about demonstrations in Birmingham. It is among the world’s canon of the most influential writings. He successfully informs his fellow clergymen of the importance of African Americans gaining rights through nonviolent methods. He also speaks eloquently of the difference between just and unjust laws, which lies in the equality of rights. The 1960s were trying times for African Americans due to intense segregation. Despite these difficulties, Dr. King was able to respond with nonviolent methods. These methods are considered very praiseworthy as such a nonviolent response, particularly with such profound effects, is very rare in human society. Dr. King’s nonviolent approach for achieving equal rights, not only helps society make considerable progress on achieving equality, but also enlightens future societies to go for equality in a peaceful manner. According to Dr. King, the difference between just and unjust laws is whether or not everybody has equal rights; similarly, whether or not the law in question uplifts the human spirit. As Dr. King claims: “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust” (King 3). African Americans were forced to face intense segregation and had to witness their friends and family members be subjected to abuse and humiliation...

Words: 1619 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Exploring Why We Praise Hip-Hop

...research contributed to the outlining of my Wikipedia article’s information. Going back to Why We Praise Hip-Hop, my class and I read and discussed Stephen King’s Why We Crave Horror Movies before beginning. While constructing my essay, I wanted to resemble the way King structured his article, in which he separates paragraphs based on the points he conveys. I also took inspiration from King’s writing style of sounding like the way he speaks. Being able to look at King’s writing assisted me in making my writing more effective and engaging. From the beginning of the semester, the elements of purpose and audience have always been considered. For my first paper, The Envision Program Experience, my intended audience were educational figures, such as teachers or professors. My intended purpose was to portray an important phase of my life that contributed to my growth in my education experience. I established a purpose by I shaped my essay to appeal to my audience by structuring it like an informative essay, including a title page. In the process of defining a genre, I considered turning this piece into a letter to my future teachers; however, I had felt that a letter would not effectively reflect the tone I set for this assignment. After writing The Envision Program Experience onto a rough draft form, I turned to my fellow classmates for criticism. They seemed to be a fan of my imagery and word choice, but they added some helpful comments on how to make my last paragraphs more compelling...

Words: 628 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Mlk and the Civilian Rights/Voting Acts

...How important was Martin Luther King to the passing of the civil rights and voting acts 1964-65 The role of Martin Luther King Jr. in the passing of the Civil Rights/Voting Acts has been greatly disputed within the historical community. Some historians such as Anthony Badger argue that there was 'no person more important' than King, whilst others, such as Clayborne Carson believe the opposite: that even without King the civil rights movement would have 'followed a course of development similar to the one it did'. Differing from both these beliefs, there were factors more important than King in the passing of these acts, however, King was far from an inefficacious factor as Carson suggests. Rather he was an important political giant who was (along with his Southern Christian Leadership Conference) an instrumental aid to a number of vital incidents that massively helped catalyse the passage of the acts. Incidents such as the Selma march and the subsequent "Bloody Sunday" a well as his role in the Birmingham and Washington marches. His role as a prominent activist and talented orator added to King's importance as it allowed him to proliferate ideas of peaceful protest and civil disobedience to the masses. However, despite King's distribution of ideas to the masses, it is the masses themselves, or rather the local leaders of them, with whom the greatest credit for the passing of these acts must be placed due to the pressure they placed on the presidency to enact legislation. What's...

Words: 1852 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Mlk Research Paper

...Jordan Beard Mrs. Laney English III 10 April 2014 “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” Research Paper Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” is considered to be one of his most powerful and effective speeches, considering that it gave not only the black community of Memphis, TN, but all supporters of the nation, the courage to continue a long journey for freedom. His figure as a speaker and a leader had a positive impacting effect on the nation as a whole. On February 1, 1968, during a heavy rainstorm in Memphis, two black sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, were crushed to death by a faulty garbage truck compactor to stay out of the rain (“Martin Luther King Jr”). The City of Memphis, under Mayor Henry Loeb, in order to preserve money in the economy, had continued to use this old and outdated machinery in the Public Works Department when it should have been discarded (Honey). “The city paid most of its 1,300 sanitation workers a minimum wage of one dollar and sixty cents per hour; they worked until their routes were done, often putting in sixty hours a week at forty hours of pay” (Honey). The wages of these workers were so low that they were forced to live on welfare as well as food stamps to simply live day to day and feed their families (“Sanitation Workers Strike”). The city provided unskilled black workers with no job benefits, no access to supervisory jobs, no rights or respect and minimal health coverage. The families of both...

Words: 2945 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Edgar Allan Poe Symbolism In The Raven

...When you were in high school did you ever read “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe? Just about anyone who has finished high school has! In high school you read a lot of stories and poems that are boring, interesting, short, long, fiction, and nonfiction but you read them all for a reason. Edgar Allan Poe was already a working writer, trying to make a living paper by paper in the United States before copyright became a thing. Back then it was really hard to make money because people from England can steal U.S. writers work since, once again, there was no copyright laws. Poe made just enough money to make it by day by day by writing poems, spooky stories and some pretty harsh criticism to other writers work. Then out of nowhere in 1845, Poe published...

Words: 819 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Historical Perspective Essay

...Europe contains a vast amount of history amongst its landscape and structures. Countless wars have been fought. Revolutions have been made. However, within Europe’s history there are several religious reformations that shaped a majority of modern Europe. These reformations include the Protestant Reformation, the English Reformation, and the Catholic Reformation. The events that lead to these reformations during the 16th century are quite lengthy. During the 14th century, salvation outside of the church was not possible. Thus, religion played a prominent role in the daily lives of people. However, many issues began to rise amongst all things religion. In 1309, internal conflict within the Catholic Church caused for its capital to be moved from Rome to Avignon. This shift of power started a war between France and England that lasted for nearly a century. To add to the turmoil, in 1347 the Black Death took the lives of more than 25 million Europeans within four years. Due to the plague, the church saw that a second pope was needed and established one in Rome. Then again in 1409, a third pope was elected. As three popes were battling for power, ordinary Christians became confused on who to believe. By the time the church resolved its problems, simple teachings of Christ were abandoned, and people saw the need to reform (HistoryTubeTV). Also known as The Reformation, the Protestant Reformation’s main goal was to reform the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church...

Words: 1825 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Satan in Paradise Lost

...Dreams and Schemes: How to Live Like a Californian Stephen King once said, “Books and movies are like apples and oranges. They both are fruit, but taste completely different.” In the case of The Postman Always Rings Twice, King is correct. The Postman Always Rings Twice, written by James M. Cain in 1934, once a racy and scandalous misadventure into a world of crime and deceit in the American West, paved the way for hundreds of other novelists, both international and American, to script their own versions of the ultimate combination of sex, lies, and death. Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice proves to have its differences in comparison to Tay Garnett’s 1946 silver screen rendition of the novel featuring Lana Turner and John Garfield. While Cain’s novel is brisk, stiff and a bit harsh, Garnett’s Postman is brought to life with Turner and Garfield’s playful and witty banter, which makes the tale seem less gruesome than it actually is. In both art forms, the narrative revolves around Frank Chambers, a middle-aged drifter, who goes to work for a roadside restaurant proprietor, Nick, and his sultry wife, Cora: she will eventually seduce Frank into helping her kill her husband. A first murder attempt fails, but later the lovers drive their unknowing victim down from a cliff. A clever attorney tries hit best to push Frank into betraying Cora, but an even shrewder lawyer is on Frank and Cora's side. Nevertheless, a climate of mistrust surrounds Frank and Cora, and eventually they...

Words: 1412 - Pages: 6