Shaina, this reminds me in an oblique way of the Ruby Franke case recently in Utah. It is a mother, not a father, exhibiting extreme narcissism as an influencer on YouTube for severely strick discipline, using her own children as supposed successful examples. As it turns out, her Parenting recommendations weren't even the half of what was actually happening to her own children by physical torture, duct tape restraints, starvation, imprisonment. I have to wonder what would have created such a state of disassociation from and lack of concern for her own children, to use them only as props for her online persona? And then taking the extreme with torture, who is she actually punishing?
Unfortunately I am not surprised by that case. There are a handful of reports on religious leaders who specialize in parenting workshops and write books who have similar approaches that seem harsh on the outside, and are totally abusive at their core. I don't understand it at all either, but I have noticed that an obsession with perfect mothering often leads to worse mothering. Kind of like how obsessing over a clean house can actually make a family's life worse. There is a balance to all of it, but when people dive into the perfection that a business made out of parenting tips would demand, I could see it taking a dark turn into hyper-discipline. The fact that it went as far as it did must mean this woman is totally unwell. It's unbelievable really.
I know. I'm in the same boat. Some movies I've even watched before realizing they were based on a Stephen King book (The Green Mile anyone?). It's on Hulu now. Worth the watch in my opinion.
He was one of the guards looking out for spies from Boulder going to Vegas. He killed the Boulder spy (forget the character) and then Flagg killed him because the orders were to take the spies alive. I only remember him because of the name!
Another great summary and analysis that sent chills up my spine.
King was personally pretty messed up in terms of addiction. He wrote this at age 26 when he was a young father of at least one child. I think this story has much to do with King's fear of how he might fail as a father despite loving his children.
Also, in the King universe, you just know that someone named Lester Billings is going to be a bad guy.
(Although he gave my name "Dave Roberts" to a very minor bad guy in The Stand)
I think you're right. There were definitely some parallels to Jack Torrance here, though without the depth we saw from that character. You gave me a great idea for a game. Come up with character names and determine whether they're good or bad guys in a Stephen King novel.
I don't remember a Dave Roberts! I'll have to look him up now...
I LOVED this analysis of the short story. I did a similar one on the film over at my Substack. I absolutely love reading how others interpret and break down stories as well.
Audio, yes!! “Let her riff!” I really enjoyed your analysis and agree that the monster is likely a stand in for the evil of a parent. Some young kids even think they have two dads or two moms because they disassociate the mean ones from their “true” dad or mom. When you were talking about how Lester sacrifices Andy in a way to the Boogeyman, it reminded me in of those terrible stepparent stories in which a desperate single mom will marry a vicious stepdad. She will often “overlook” his abuse or neglect of her own child(ren) because she can’t face him alone or can’t bear to be alone without him. I think that could be a symbol as well, where the child’s safety or enrichment is sacrificed on the alter of keeping a stepparent in the picture. Also, statistically speaking, the chances of child abuse rise exponentially when a boyfriend or stepfather enters a house compared to a biological father. Thanks for making the audio, it was great for my walk just now!
I was thinking of you when I recorded Belte! Almost forgot to include it. You said this so much better and more concisely than I could: "the monster is likely a stand in for the evil of a parent." Yes, exactly. I have read devastating statistics on stepdads and the likelihood that a child will be abused or killed, especially if they're toddlers (a particularly hard age no matter who you are). There is definitely that element of sacrificing a child (emotionally, spiritually, or physically) to keep a partner around. Thinking about these parallels took a silly monster story and raised it on the horror scale for me.
Yes, I really am glad you included the audio. It definitely builds that sense that we are discussing captivating books rather than conducting analysis alone. Also, as you mentioned, Andy was not a planned baby from the perspective of Lester. He just kind of fell into their lives (likely by the wife's separate plans). So that child (of the three) offers the greatest parallel for a "stepfather"-like relationship. And the fact that his wife is gone when the incident occurs is often the case in real-life with a stepparent alone with a stepchild. One aspect that you might have already considered is that a girl's rapid onset gender dysphoria can come when a stepfather enters the picture. I've heard this account from several family friends who know daughters who "transition" at the exact time that their mothers remarry and stepfathers come to live with them. I think there can be a seed in their brain that the stepfather (a strange, adult man) could be dangerous to them as teenagers, so they suddenly shout, "Wait, I'm a boy!" That type of transformation might be good fuel for a short story where the stepchild suddenly changes drastically as a coping mechanism, only for the parent and/or stepfather to find out too late that there are sinister forces at work! Keep up the great work!
Wow. I've never heard of that coinciding, but now that you mention it, I know someone who had that exact experience. A year later her daughter no longer wants that, but it's interesting in hindsight. Have you ever considered starting your own Substack? I love your analyses so much. I think it would be great to read what you have to say.
Sounds super dark from your super deep breakdown on this, Shaina. Really enjoyed the listen to your thoughts. Haven't read the book and only recently saw the trailer for the film. Curious to watch it.
Shaina, this reminds me in an oblique way of the Ruby Franke case recently in Utah. It is a mother, not a father, exhibiting extreme narcissism as an influencer on YouTube for severely strick discipline, using her own children as supposed successful examples. As it turns out, her Parenting recommendations weren't even the half of what was actually happening to her own children by physical torture, duct tape restraints, starvation, imprisonment. I have to wonder what would have created such a state of disassociation from and lack of concern for her own children, to use them only as props for her online persona? And then taking the extreme with torture, who is she actually punishing?
Unfortunately I am not surprised by that case. There are a handful of reports on religious leaders who specialize in parenting workshops and write books who have similar approaches that seem harsh on the outside, and are totally abusive at their core. I don't understand it at all either, but I have noticed that an obsession with perfect mothering often leads to worse mothering. Kind of like how obsessing over a clean house can actually make a family's life worse. There is a balance to all of it, but when people dive into the perfection that a business made out of parenting tips would demand, I could see it taking a dark turn into hyper-discipline. The fact that it went as far as it did must mean this woman is totally unwell. It's unbelievable really.
I can't keep track of what stories of King's have been made into movies. Didn't know about this one.
I know. I'm in the same boat. Some movies I've even watched before realizing they were based on a Stephen King book (The Green Mile anyone?). It's on Hulu now. Worth the watch in my opinion.
He was one of the guards looking out for spies from Boulder going to Vegas. He killed the Boulder spy (forget the character) and then Flagg killed him because the orders were to take the spies alive. I only remember him because of the name!
Another great summary and analysis that sent chills up my spine.
King was personally pretty messed up in terms of addiction. He wrote this at age 26 when he was a young father of at least one child. I think this story has much to do with King's fear of how he might fail as a father despite loving his children.
Also, in the King universe, you just know that someone named Lester Billings is going to be a bad guy.
(Although he gave my name "Dave Roberts" to a very minor bad guy in The Stand)
I think you're right. There were definitely some parallels to Jack Torrance here, though without the depth we saw from that character. You gave me a great idea for a game. Come up with character names and determine whether they're good or bad guys in a Stephen King novel.
I don't remember a Dave Roberts! I'll have to look him up now...
I LOVED this analysis of the short story. I did a similar one on the film over at my Substack. I absolutely love reading how others interpret and break down stories as well.
Thank you Jade! Can you post a link? I looked through and didn't find it! I'd love to include it in my post!
Ah! It was behind my paywall, sorry about that! Here it is: https://open.substack.com/pub/therebelmfaway/p/monster-check-complete?r=f6z27&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Audio, yes!! “Let her riff!” I really enjoyed your analysis and agree that the monster is likely a stand in for the evil of a parent. Some young kids even think they have two dads or two moms because they disassociate the mean ones from their “true” dad or mom. When you were talking about how Lester sacrifices Andy in a way to the Boogeyman, it reminded me in of those terrible stepparent stories in which a desperate single mom will marry a vicious stepdad. She will often “overlook” his abuse or neglect of her own child(ren) because she can’t face him alone or can’t bear to be alone without him. I think that could be a symbol as well, where the child’s safety or enrichment is sacrificed on the alter of keeping a stepparent in the picture. Also, statistically speaking, the chances of child abuse rise exponentially when a boyfriend or stepfather enters a house compared to a biological father. Thanks for making the audio, it was great for my walk just now!
I was thinking of you when I recorded Belte! Almost forgot to include it. You said this so much better and more concisely than I could: "the monster is likely a stand in for the evil of a parent." Yes, exactly. I have read devastating statistics on stepdads and the likelihood that a child will be abused or killed, especially if they're toddlers (a particularly hard age no matter who you are). There is definitely that element of sacrificing a child (emotionally, spiritually, or physically) to keep a partner around. Thinking about these parallels took a silly monster story and raised it on the horror scale for me.
Yes, I really am glad you included the audio. It definitely builds that sense that we are discussing captivating books rather than conducting analysis alone. Also, as you mentioned, Andy was not a planned baby from the perspective of Lester. He just kind of fell into their lives (likely by the wife's separate plans). So that child (of the three) offers the greatest parallel for a "stepfather"-like relationship. And the fact that his wife is gone when the incident occurs is often the case in real-life with a stepparent alone with a stepchild. One aspect that you might have already considered is that a girl's rapid onset gender dysphoria can come when a stepfather enters the picture. I've heard this account from several family friends who know daughters who "transition" at the exact time that their mothers remarry and stepfathers come to live with them. I think there can be a seed in their brain that the stepfather (a strange, adult man) could be dangerous to them as teenagers, so they suddenly shout, "Wait, I'm a boy!" That type of transformation might be good fuel for a short story where the stepchild suddenly changes drastically as a coping mechanism, only for the parent and/or stepfather to find out too late that there are sinister forces at work! Keep up the great work!
Wow. I've never heard of that coinciding, but now that you mention it, I know someone who had that exact experience. A year later her daughter no longer wants that, but it's interesting in hindsight. Have you ever considered starting your own Substack? I love your analyses so much. I think it would be great to read what you have to say.
I just finished this and I'm so with you, glad he was finished at the end. He's the monster here for sure.
Sounds super dark from your super deep breakdown on this, Shaina. Really enjoyed the listen to your thoughts. Haven't read the book and only recently saw the trailer for the film. Curious to watch it.