Tag Archives: It

The Courage to Face the Darkness

In “IT” Stephen King shows how Americans close their eyes to horrific truths. Certain Americans have been closing their eyes to COVID19, showing King to know what he’s talking about.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , | Comments closed

Gothics Speak Truth to Denial

Thursday Thursday morning I delivered the following talk to Sewanee’s Rotary Club. I entitled it “America’s Obsession with Gothic Fantasy, from Poe to Game of Thrones. When you hear someone mention gothic fantasy or gothic horror, what American stories, movies or television shows come to mind? Before I let you answer that question, let me […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

Reconnecting with My Dead Son

Thursday I had a shock of recognition while teaching Stephen King’s IT in my American Fantasy class yesterday. The approach to life that saves the day for the protagonist is the approach that got my eldest son killed 16 years ago. Yet I don’t think King is wrong. In fact, I was comforted once I saw the […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed

Why We Fear Clowns

The recent outbreak of criminal clowns can be explained by combining Freud’s essay on the uncanny and Stephen King’s IT.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , | Comments closed

King’s Clown Rampaged in Orlando

Perhaps more than any other American writer, Stephen King understands such incidents as the Orlando massacre. The famous horror writer dreams America’s nightmares and appears prescient when they come true.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

A Fantasy about U.S. Thirst for War

Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods” understands the thirst of those Americans that want to go to war with Iran.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

When American Fantasies Are Dangerous

The denial of reality that has taken over certain segments of the GOP is well described by Neil Gaiman in “American Gods.” America has a long tradition of such fantasizing.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

King Looks to Children for Hope

Despite the horrors he describes, Stephen King’s vision is ultimately a hopeful one. The key, as he sees it, is plugging into childhood hopes and imagination.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , | Comments closed

King’s Vision of Environmental Devastation

Stephen King, drawing on William Carlos Williams’ “Paterson,” warns about the destructiveness brought on by America’s acquisitive side.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed