Steven King Afterlife Essay

Roman Cruz Professor Starnes English 1302-003 30 March 2024 “Afterlife”: The Enthralling Tangibility of The Afterlife Do you ever wonder if there's something beyond this life, or what intangible realms our souls may roam to? A unique perspective on the afterlife, given in Steven King’s short story “Afterlife”, explores the frivolous nature that possibly lies in the afterlife, along with its absurdity. Tragically, the reader is faced with a grim reality for Bill Andrews, a man dying from cancer. This is swiftly followed by an introduction to the “white light” as Bill ascends into the afterlife, only to be met with an audacious clerk at an office desk, and faced with a cruel and unsettling choice. I recommend this story because of its intriguing,

Upon Bill’s arrival at this strange place, the reader is informed of Bill's atypical response, where King admits “The bedsores are gone. Nice. I like the sandbox. He takes a deep breath and exhales without coughing. Even nicer.”(King 8). This influences the depth of Bill’s uncanny aura, and contributes to Bill’s inviolable selfishness, and inconsideration for those around him.. Bill finally engages in a conversation with a man named Isaac Harris, however a conversation of a cynical, almost comic nature. While you might expect this “Afterlife” to be a place for serious discussion, Bill’s unbridled questions disturb Isaac, and he becomes very straightforward towards Bill and lists horrific things Bill has done in his past. During this paradoxical discussion, the ultimate choice that Bill must make is evoked by Isaac, one choice that Bill has made many times. As Isaac put it, in a melancholic expression, “The deal is this. Leave through the door and you get to live your life over again. A to Z. Start to finish. Take the right one and you wink out. Poof. Candle-in-the-wind type of thing.”(King 32). Isaac’s straightforward, and insolent tone, given his duties in the afterlife, projects an uneasy, and uncanny complexion, further contributing to the many questions, and emotions, the reader may stumble

When analyzing this short story, an argument could be made that all issues or criticisms made of this story, stem from its length. However, in response to this, I would claim that the short and unspecified nature of this story, which ultimately leaves the reader with many questions, is precisely what makes this story so great. As previously explored in this review, this story is thought-provoking, and uncanny, however, if all questions are answered, and the reader is left fully satisfied, it begs the question: What makes this story so great? In close relation to the foundational concern, its unanswered questions may lead some to believe that this story’s conflict is irrelevant, as there is no transparent resolution. The problem with this critique is that it fails to understand the story's theme, and ultimately dismisses the author’s intention to challenge traditional presumptions of the afterlife and human existence. Ultimately, I would recommend that you look past these baseless assumptions about this thrilling story, and give it a try, as Steven King is one the most renowned authors of our time, often deemed “The King of