Carrie - Lesson 4 (Power, Characterization)

Power in Carrie: In her book, Writing Fiction, Janet Burroway describes the power struggle that makes for good conflict: ". . . the pattern of the story's complications will be achieved by shifting the power back and forth from one antagonist to another."

The shifting of power can be seen in the scene between Ewen High School principal Henry Grayle and high-powered lawyer John Hargensen. Hargensen is coming to meet Grayle about Desjardin's harsh punishment of his daughter for the shower incident. Before Hargensen even arrives, he already seems to hold power over the principal, who sits in his office bending paper clips. Grayle makes a weak power volley by pleaing to the lawyer's concern for "the workings of justice," but Hargensen regains ground by dismissing that and cutting to the chase, saying he was there because his daughter was "manhandled" and "verbally abused." Grayle makes another attempt, saying Desjardin was "reprimanded." This doesn't work. Hargensen wants more than a reprimand. Grayle then attempts to use law against the lawyer, citing a court case that gives the school title to in loco parentis. No dice. Hargensen cites another case against a school district (Grayle knows the principal - who is now selling insurance). But Hargensen overplays his hand, and says, "When I'm done with you, you'll be lucky to get a job selling encyclopedias door to door." This angers Grayle, and he reveals he's not just a "stuffed shirt": "Let it be court then," Grayle said. From this line on, Grayle holds the power, threating a counter-suit against Hargensens's daughter.

Characterization: When Hargensen leaves, it is a portrait of lost power. Hargensen crossed the room stiffly, paused as if to add something, then left, barely restraining himself the satisfaction of a hard doorslam. (67 - 74)

Exercise: Find a passage where there is conflict between two characters. Does the power switch back and forth?

Carrie - Lesson 3 (Characterization)

Characterization in Carrie: Here's another gem describing Carrie's mother.

Momma was a very big woman, and she always wore a hat. Lately her legs had begun to swell, and her feet always seemed on the point of overflowing her shoes. She wore a black cloth coat with a black fur collar. Her eyes were blue and magnified behind rimless bifocals. She always carried a large black satchel purse and in it was her change purse, her billfold (both black), a large King James Bible (also black) with her name stamped on fron in gold, and a stack of tracks secured with a rubber band. The tracts were usually orange, and smearily printed. (54)

I'm not sure King would go for such an explicit description paragraph now, but this very servicable paragraph shows us a lot about Momma. It starts with a physical description of her, then goes into her purse and ends with the tracts ("smearily printed" as if the ideas printed on them are a bit askew). Everything is there because it demonstrates Margaret White's personality. A fine example of "show don't tell."

Exercise: Find a passage where a character is described. Does every element describe more than physical features but the character's personality, past, or motivation?

Carrie - Lesson 2 (Characterization, Simile)

Characterization in Carrie: Here's a good example of showing the scrupulosity of Carrie White's mother without dialogue:

But nobody came out of the Whites' place. Not even the old lady to hang her wash. That's something else - she never hung any undies on the back line. Not even Carrie's, and she was only three back then. Always in the house." (30)

Simile: "My tongue felt like a little dried-up plant." (32) In On Writing, King speaks of the value of good similes.

Exercise: Find a spot where it a character's personality can be described by his or her actions.

Carrie - Lesson 1 (First Line, Characterization)

First line of Carrie: "News item from Westover (Me.) weekly Enterprise, August 19, 1966: RAIN OF STONES REPORTED." (3)

Not too spectacular a hook. This is because Carrie uses fictional documents, book excerpts, interviews, etc. to further the narrative. The device works pretty well, like Dracula, in adding a bit of realism. Another part of me resents the interuptions, and a more cynical part of me feels the device is there simply add to the word count, making a novel out of a a novella (since then, King has proven himself the master of the novella (i.e. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, The Body, and Secret Window, Secret Garden).

The next full paragraph contains what could have been a very serviceable first line: "Nobody was really surprised when it happened, not really, not at the subconscious level where savage things grow." A bit abstract, but I like the ominous feeling it dredges up.

Characterization: Mr. Morton (moron?), the assistant principal:"He tried to project the image of a lovable John Wayne figure while performing the disciplinary functions that were his main job as Assistant Principal, but did not succeed very well. The administration (usually represented at Jay Cee suppers, P.T.A. functions, and American Legion award ceremonies by Principal Henry Grayle) usually termed him "lovable Mort." The student body was more apt to term him "that crazy ass-jibber from the office." (17-8) This succeeds because it starts with a cultural reference the reader should recognize (while getting us into Morton's mind about himself). Then it shows how his vision of himself conflicts with his superiors and further how that conflicts with the students. It sucks being the middleman.

Exercise: Examine the first line of your story. Does it have a "hook" and encapsulate the meaning (or at least the tone) of the entire work?

Stephen King Is My Writing Teacher

Maybe I'm just looking for another excuse to read some of Stephen King's books again, but I'm going to attempt a blog that discusses Stephen King's writing from a writer's point of view.

Stephen King is a great writer for aspiring-writers to read because he has examples of both greatness and . . . not-so-greatness. I'm looking for examples of both.

Further, when I read Stephen King, I have a great time, and when I'm done, I want to run to my computer and share in that fun by writing. So this blog also has a selfish purpose: inspiration for me.

Let's begin with Stephen King's Carrie I'm using the most recent mass-market edition, so pick up a copy and join the fun. We'll learn so much, it'll be scary.