Guest Author - Justin D. Davis, Editor
I’m a sucker for intelligent, interesting conversations, especially those revolving around horror. So when one of our subscribers explained to me several weeks ago that she was doing an academic essay on Stephen King, I was tickled red. What ensued was a thoughtful bout of e-mails that I would, with her permission, like to share with you.
JEN: Currently working on a research paper about connections between Stephen King and children/adolescents..any info you could provide would be appreciated.
JD. Thanks for writing. …I believe this would be a great opportunity for some original scholarship in the field. While many critics fail to see the hopeful messages in much of King's works, he really does empower the children with insight far more vivid than most of their adult-counterpart characters (Danny in "The Shining," The kids in "It," Charlie McGee in "The Firestarter," Jack Sawyer in the co-written Straubian works, "The Talisman" and "The Black House"; Jake throughout the Gunslinger series... Of course, King also explores the darker sides of this innate child-like innocence and corrupted power through such works as "Suffer the Children," "Children of the Corn," and "Pet Sematary." Specifically, what connection will you be exploring? I may be able to better point you in a helpful direction if I knew kind of where you were going.
JEN: Thanks for getting back with me, I honestly didn't expect to hear from you. I haven't developed a solid thesis yet, still in the process of exploring ideas. There are many points that interest me about the subject.
Firstly, there seems to be a trend toward younger readers getting interested in King's books, and often it's a recommendation from the parents. In many cases kids actually prefer his books (or others like them) to readings required by the school system. I've read that he has a deal in the works to create a series of comic books for Marvel. So my first question would be, has there been a social shift that has made King's works more acceptable for younger readers? Are they age appropriate? Have kids become desensitized to graphic depictions of violence? I remember reading my first Stephen King novel "It" when I was eleven...I haven't looked at clowns the same way since--don't get me wrong I loved it, but it scared the pants off of me.
Second, are some of his books more acceptable for kids then others? For example, would the novella "Apt Pupil" be considered appropriate? Where do we draw the line (if any)?
Lastly, as you mentioned, many characters in his books are children. Is this part of what attracts kids to his books? How has the fact that he's so tuned-in to our childhood fears influenced his writing? What is it about those fears that makes them stick in our minds into adulthood? I still can't sleep with my feet hanging over the end of the bed--irrational right? I'm sure you'll remember a quote from him, when asked where he gets his ideas, that's something along the lines of "I have the heart of a child.....I keep it in a jar on my desk". I think that about sums it up.
That said, I love his books and I'll definitely recommend them to my kids when I feel that they're mature enough to handle them.
So what do you think?
JUSTIN: Truthfully, I have always viewed horror literature as a kind of "catharsis" to the human spirit. Certainly, horror serves as a mirror that is often difficult to look into. You're right on, I think, in many ways....King is becoming more socially acceptable, because his work allows us a true insight into the most bleak, but also, the most beautiful of the human spirit. In American society, this mode of acceptance can certainly be traced to the recent fears of 9/11, war, etc....We've had negative images crammed down our throats on a daily basis, and it's getting harder to shelter our children from the reality of human atrocities. But, in thinking about the works of King, there is ALWAYS something to balance even the darkest of evils...whether it be a ka-tet of seven children against the sewer monster or a ka-tet led by Roland to stand against the Crimson King. While evils do exist in King's universe, there is also a tangible good that at least attempts to stand against it. What parent wouldn't want to expose her/his children to such a hopeful theme? Yes, children probably can connect with the children of King's work, because, through what I remembered of my first reading of "It” (I was probably around the twelve mark), it empowered me to deal with my own monsters as much as it empowered the kids to wage battle the demon clown from "outside."
You know, you share a trait with the Dark Master himself; King once said that he has to have his feet covered at night, which completely humanizes the man and likely emphasizes your point. I remember his statement about the heart on his desk, a response to a judgmental reader who thought his ideas were atrocious and unhealthy. But we have to face the fact that the world is a scary place; do I think that we should teach our children to hide underneath their beds and never trust anyone? Not at all! In fact, horror literature allows a safe examination of the human psyche and enables the reader to better prepare to face the grim realities with hope and the opportunity for triumph.
It is interesting that you mention "Apt Pupil." Violent, disturbing, and truly horrific because it touches on the human capability to do evil to each other and, lets not forget, it’s based on the actual events of the Holocaust. This could be an extremely useful tool to a teenager, particularly if a parent actually shares in the reading and discusses the implications of the feelings the tale elicits, the emotions it creates, etc. Not only is the parent taking an active involvement and nurturing empathy building related exercises, it helps "de-mystify" such readings and allows the child a better understanding through exposure. In other words, if you say to your kid "Hey, you're never allowed to watch scary movies!" they are likely going to attempt to do it anyway, because it's so cool to be rebellious, right? Might as well teach them to enjoy it responsibly; like all tools, without proper supervision and guidance, serious injuries may occur! =) Not all kids will be ready
at twelve, and some might never be ready at all; we have to understand that each child is different. You stated that you would allow exposure of King's work to your kids when you felt they were mature enough, and, speaking as a father myself, I think this is an absolutely perfect and awesome way to go about it.
