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?
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 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!
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?
I can't keep track of what stories of King's have been made into movies. Didn't know about this one.
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 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 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.