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The Linguistics of Stephen King: Layered Language and Meaning in the Fiction
Stephen King, "America's Favorite Boogeyman," has sold over 350 million copies of his books, becoming in effect the face of horror fiction. His influence on popular culture has drawn both strong praise and harsh criticism from reviewers and scholars alike. While his popularity cannot be overstated, his work has received relatively little critical attention from the academic world.
Examining King's fiction using modern literary theory, this study reveals the unexpected complexity of 22 short stories and novels, from Carrie to End of Watch. The author finds King using fantasy and horror to expose truths about reality and the human condition.
Examining King's fiction using modern literary theory, this study reveals the unexpected complexity of 22 short stories and novels, from Carrie to End of Watch. The author finds King using fantasy and horror to expose truths about reality and the human condition.
252 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 20, 2025
First-rate Excavating of King using some precepts of critical theory.
Excerpt from conclusion:
Despite the objections of some critics, Stephen King has begun to receive accolades, including the National Book Award’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and the O’Henry Prize in 1996. Serious critical studies by serious scholars are being published about his fiction and theses and dissertations are being written about his work. His texts are discussed at academic conferences such as the Popular Culture Association and the International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts. While some scholars may scoff and wish that Stephen King would go away and take his multiverse with him, it seems more likely to me that his reputation will grow with time, and his work will continue to be examined with new critical insight. As Chandler says, “I think we teachers need to quit taking the literary high ground. Trying to keep out the pernicious effects of popular culture is a losing battle” (113). I fully agree with this assessment, and would add that universities and literary critics need to follow suit and not exclude writers like Stephen King on the basis of his popularity and success.
Excerpt from conclusion:
Despite the objections of some critics, Stephen King has begun to receive accolades, including the National Book Award’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and the O’Henry Prize in 1996. Serious critical studies by serious scholars are being published about his fiction and theses and dissertations are being written about his work. His texts are discussed at academic conferences such as the Popular Culture Association and the International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts. While some scholars may scoff and wish that Stephen King would go away and take his multiverse with him, it seems more likely to me that his reputation will grow with time, and his work will continue to be examined with new critical insight. As Chandler says, “I think we teachers need to quit taking the literary high ground. Trying to keep out the pernicious effects of popular culture is a losing battle” (113). I fully agree with this assessment, and would add that universities and literary critics need to follow suit and not exclude writers like Stephen King on the basis of his popularity and success.
June 27, 2025
It's a great book, I flew right through it. Being familiar with the King works discussed helps.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews