Stephen King Research Paper

Gothic Characteristics in

Stephen King’s Works

Gothic literature is now globally famous because of its unique, dark nature and gloomy aspect combined. It was popularized in the 18th century and grew in popularity ever since. Stephen King is a well-known American writer who incorporates gothic characteristics in his work. Some people argue that King’s writing is bland and loaded with overused vocabulary; however, the usage of gothic styles in his work makes his novels and stories interesting. King used many gothic aspects such as madness and emotional distress in many of his psychological thrillers and stories. He also used heavy symbolism in his novels and short stories; however, the most used gothic aspect in his writing is death or fear

“Christine” is a story of a 1958 Plymouth Fury that is possessed by supernatural forces. The car, Christine, starts to get jealous of its owner’s new girlfriend. Later on, a bully and his gang try to harm Christine’s owner so Christine kills them one by one. The owner’s friend and girlfriend suspect that Christine is behind all the murders and destroy it. Four years later, it comes back and kills the last member of the bully’s gang and is suspected to kill the ones who destroyed her too. In this story, Christine symbolizes growing up. In an interview, King (1984)

comics, or else obviously symbolic. The car is a symbol for the technological age, or for the end of innocence, when it plays such a part in adolescence and growing up. When you do that, you're really starting to take a risk. But, that's also where the excitement is. If you can make somebody go along with that concept, that's really wonderful. (para. 20)

Additionally, Stephen King used death and fear of death in many of his horror novels and short stories. For example, “Herman Wouk is Still Alive” is a short story written by Stephen King where two women go on a road trip with their 7 kids. Unfortunately, their car hits a tree due to their reckless driving. Later on, two old poets see the crashed car. King (2011) said:

He stops twenty yards from the gasoline funeral pyre, the heat baking his face. He sees what he knew he would see—no survivors—but he never imagined so many non-survivors. He sees blood on the grass. He sees a shatter of taillight glass like a patch of strawberries. He sees a severed arm caught in a bush. In the flames he sees a melting baby seat. He sees shoes. (para.