Introduction
Carrie is a horror novel by the American author Stephen King, published in 1974. It is King’s first published novel and one of his most influential and acclaimed works, spawning several adaptations and references in media. The novel tells the story of Carrie White, a teenage girl who is bullied and abused by her peers and her mother, and who discovers that she has telekinetic powers, which she uses to exact revenge on those who have wronged her. The novel explores themes such as bullying, abuse, religion, and revenge. My overall evaluation of the book is that it is a powerful and disturbing read, with a compelling plot, realistic characters, and a tragic ending. However, it also has some flaws, such as a fragmented structure, a dated style, and a lack of depth.
Summary
The novel begins with Carrie, who has her first period in the locker room, and is mocked and humiliated by her classmates, who throw tampons at her. She is rescued by Miss Desjardin, a gym teacher, who tries to comfort her. She also meets Sue Snell, a popular girl who feels guilty for joining the prank, and Tommy Ross, Sue’s boyfriend, who is kind to her. She returns home, where she is abused by her mother, Margaret, a religious fanatic, who believes that Carrie is sinful and cursed. She locks her in a closet, where Carrie prays and cries.
The novel then shifts to the perspective of various characters, who narrate the events through interviews, reports, articles, and letters. The novel also uses excerpts from books and studies about Carrie and her powers, which are revealed to be telekinesis, the ability to move objects with the mind. Carrie learns to control and enhance her powers, which she uses to defend herself from her mother and her bullies. She also receives an invitation to the prom from Tommy, who is asked by Sue to take Carrie as a gesture of kindness. Carrie accepts, hoping to have a normal and happy night.
The novel then follows the prom night, which turns out to be a disaster. Carrie is crowned as the prom queen, but she is also the victim of a cruel prank, orchestrated by Chris Hargensen, a mean girl who hates Carrie, and Billy Nolan, Chris’s boyfriend. They dump a bucket of pig’s blood on Carrie, which also hits Tommy, who dies from a head injury. Carrie snaps and unleashes her powers, killing most of the people in the gym, and setting the school on fire. She then walks home, leaving a trail of destruction and death behind her. She is confronted by her mother, who tries to kill her, believing that she is the spawn of the devil. Carrie kills her mother and then dies from her wounds. She is also pursued by Sue, who tries to help her but is rejected by Carrie, who thinks that Sue is part of the prank. Sue is the only survivor of the prom night, and she is haunted by nightmares and guilt.
Critique
The strengths of the book are many, such as:
The writing style: King’s prose is clear, concise, and compelling, creating a sense of urgency and suspense. He also uses various techniques, such as foreshadowing, irony, symbolism, and metafiction, to enrich the narrative and explore different layers and meanings.
The structure: The novel’s structure, which alternates between the linear and the nonlinear, the fictional and the factual, the personal and the impersonal, creates a contrast and a connection between the different perspectives, sources, and formats, showing how the story is constructed and interpreted. It also builds up the tension and the mystery, as the reader knows the outcome, but not the details and the reasons.
The tone: The novel’s tone is dark, tense, and horrifying, reflecting the nature of Carrie and her actions. However, it also has moments of humor, sarcasm, and hope, especially in the scenes involving Carrie and her powers. The tone balances the horror and the drama, making the reader empathize with the characters and their emotions.
The credibility: The novel’s credibility is enhanced by the realistic and detailed portrayal of Carrie and her powers, as well as the characters and their situations. King draws from his own experiences and influences, such as his high school memories, his interest in telekinesis, and his sympathy for outcasts, to create believable and complex characters that have motives, backgrounds, and personalities. He also depicts the psychological and physical effects of bullying, abuse, religion, and revenge, showing how they affect the characters and their actions.
The originality: The novel’s originality lies in its concept and execution, as it creates a unique and terrifying scenario that involves a telekinetic girl who wreaks havoc on her town. The novel also introduces one of the most iconic and memorable characters in literature, Carrie, who is a tragic and sympathetic protagonist who is not evil but misunderstood.
The relevance: The novel’s relevance is evident in its exploration of universal and timeless themes, such as bullying, abuse, religion, and revenge. The novel also addresses social and personal issues, such as adolescence, sexuality, identity, and power, showing how they affect the characters and the society. The novel also resonates with contemporary culture, as it has inspired numerous adaptations and references in media, such as the 1976 film, the 1988 musical, the 2013 remake, and the 2019 TV series Riverdale.
The weaknesses of the book are few, but significant, such as:
The fragmented structure: The novel’s fragmented structure, which is composed of various pieces of information and evidence, can be confusing and distracting for some readers, especially those who are used to a more linear and coherent narrative. The novel also contains some pieces of information and evidence that are redundant, irrelevant, or inaccurate, such as scientific explanations, legal documents, and fictional books. The novel could have been more organized and consistent, without losing its complexity and diversity.
The dated style: The novel’s dated style, which reflects the time and the place of its publication, can be outdated and unappealing for some readers, especially those who are looking for a more modern and relevant work. The novel also features some elements that are stereotypical or offensive, such as the portrayal of women, minorities, and homosexuals, which can be seen as sexist, racist, or homophobic. The novel could have been more timeless and respectful, without losing its realism and criticism.
The lack of depth: The novel’s lack of depth, which stems from its short length and its focus on the plot, can be disappointing and unsatisfying for some readers, especially those who are looking for more character development and theme exploration. The novel also leaves some aspects and questions that are underdeveloped and unanswered, such as Carrie’s father, Sue’s pregnancy, and the fate of the town, among others, which are not only unresolved, but also unexplored and unexplained. The novel could have been more detailed and comprehensive, without losing its simplicity and impact.
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