Summary
Carrie is a horror novel and the debut work of American author Stephen King, published in 1974. The story is set in Chamberlain, Maine, and follows the plight of Carietta "Carrie" White, a 16-year-old girl who faces relentless bullying at school and strict religious tyranny at home from her mother, Margaret. Carrie, an outcast with a frumpy appearance and unorthodox religious beliefs, becomes the target of a cruel prank at her high school prom, triggering her hidden telekinetic powers.
Carrie's horrific experience starts with a traumatizing incident in her school's locker room. Carrie, due to her mother's rigid suppression of sexual education, believes she is dying when she gets her first menstrual period. The ensuing mockery by her peers and the discovery of her telekinetic abilities set the stage for a tragic series of events. After being invited to the prom in a gesture meant as atonement by her classmate Sue Snell, Carrie is subjected to a final humiliation that unleashes her powers in full force. The night ends in a catastrophic display of vengeance that devastates the town of Chamberlain, leading to Carrie confronting and ultimately killing her mother before tragically succumbing to her own injuries.
Structurally, Carrie is noteworthy for its unique composition, presenting the narrative through an assortment of fictional documents and multiple perspectives. This novel not only deals with themes of ostracism and revenge but also critiques societal norms and the horrifying consequences of bullying. King's debut sparked significant interest in the horror genre, revitalizing it for the contemporary audience and setting the stage for his prolific career.
Carrie has been adapted into several films, notably Brian De Palma's 1976 version, which significantly contributed to King's fame as well as the novel's enduring popularity. It also inspired a musical, showcasing its significant impact on popular culture and the horror genre. Carrie continues to be a pivotal work for its exploration of the dark consequences of social alienation and unchecked power.
Themes
Ostracism and the pain of being an outsider
Abuse and Its psychological impacts
Telekinesis and the supernatural as a metaphor for puberty and power
Revenge and Its consequences
Religious fanaticism and oppression
The dark side of human nature and mob mentality
High school hierarchies and bullying
Empowerment and the loss of innocence
Mother-daughter relationships and dysfunction
Setting
Carrie unfolds in the quiet town of Chamberlain, Maine, a fictional locale that embodies the small-town America atmosphere quintessential to many of King's horror settings. The story is deeply rooted in the era of its publication in 1974, a period in American history marked by profound shifts in attitudes towards feminism, religion, and the supernatural. This setting provides a poignant backdrop to the supernatural horror that ensues.
Carrie’s high school serves as a critical stage for many of the novel's dramatic events. This environment, combined with the oppressive religious household led by her fanatical mother, Margaret, both encapsulate the dual themes of isolation and persecution that drive the narrative. The prom night disaster, which leads to Carrie's catastrophic use of her telekinetic powers, results in the near-total annihilation of Chamberlain itself, transforming the town from a site of youthful angst into one of supernatural horror.
Despite being set in a specifically named fictional town, the themes and settings reflect universal aspects of American life, touching on the struggles of adolescence, the dangers of social ostracism, and the explosive potential of repressed power. In this setting, King explores both the intimate terror of Carrie's domestic life and the broader societal tensions that allow for her ultimate breakdown. The evocation of this specific time and place serves to ground King's supernatural elements in a relatable reality, making the horror of Carrie's vengeance all the more chilling.
Characters
Carietta "Carrie" White: A friendless, bullied high-school girl with telekinetic powers.
Margaret White: Carrie's abusive, religious fanatic mother.
Sue Snell: A popular girl who initially bullies Carrie but later feels remorse and seeks to make amends.
Tommy Ross: Sue's boyfriend, who takes Carrie to the prom.
Chris Hargensen: A wealthy, popular girl who leads the bullying against Carrie and plots the prom-night prank.
Billy Nolan: Chris's boyfriend, who assists in the prom-night prank.
Rita Desjardin: The gym teacher who punishes the girls for bullying Carrie and tries to support her
Critical reception
"Stephen King's first novel changed the trajectory of horror fiction forever," wrote Esquire in praise of Carrie. Published in 1974, this now classic horror novel has been widely acclaimed by critics as "gory and horrifying" (Chicago Tribune), "eerie and haunting" (Publisher's Weekly), and "guaranteed to chill you" (The New York Times). “Stephen King has built a literary genre of putting ordinary people in the most terrifying situations," raved The Boston Globe, "he’s the author who can always make the improbable so scary you'll feel compelled to check the locks on the front door.”
FAQs
What is the premise of Carrie?
The novel follows Carrie White, an outcast teenage girl with telekinetic powers. Carrie is tormented by her cruel peers and religious fanatic mother until she unleashes a terrifying revenge on her town.
What genre of novel is Carrie?
Carrie is a horror novel that incorporates elements of supernatural and gothic fiction. It also has elements of an epistolary novel, with the story presented through fictional news reports and excerpts.
What are the major themes explored in the novel?
Carrie deals with themes of ostracism, revenge, and the consequences of bullying. It also explores the themes of religious fanaticism, abuse, and the development of supernatural powers.
How did Stephen King come up with the idea for Carrie?
King was inspired by a combination of factors, including a friend's suggestion to write about a female character, an article about telekinesis, and his own experiences with bullied girls in high school.
What challenges did King face while writing the novel?
King initially struggled with writing from a woman's perspective and felt apathetic towards the story. He even discarded the first draft before his wife convinced him to continue writing it.
How was Carrie received upon publication?
While the hardcover edition sold modestly, the paperback edition became a bestseller, particularly after the success of the 1976 film adaptation. The book received generally positive reviews, with critics praising King's debut and the terrifying plot.
What impact did Carrie have on Stephen King's career?
Carrie launched King's career as a mainstream horror author and allowed him to become a full-time writer. It also helped revive interest in horror literature and influenced many contemporary horror writers.
What screen adaptations has Carrie received?
Carrie has been adapted into several films, including the critically acclaimed 1976 adaptation by Brian De Palma, as well as a 1988 musical production and a 2013 film.
What is the significance of the epistolary structure in the novel?
The epistolary structure, with multiple perspectives presented through fictional documents, suggests that no single viewpoint can fully explain the supernatural events surrounding Carrie and the prom night massacre.
How does Carrie explore the theme of ostracism?
Carrie is ostracized and bullied by her peers for not conforming to societal norms, particularly her lack of knowledge about menstruation and her religious upbringing. This ostracism is a driving force behind her eventual destructive rampage.
Quotes
"High school isn't a very important place. When you're going you think it's a big deal, but when it's over nobody really thinks it was great unless they're beered up."
"People don't get better, they just get smarter. When you get smarter you don't stop pulling the wings off flies, you just think of better reasons for doing it."
"Sorry is the Kool-Aid of human emotions."
"Jesus watches from the wall,
But his face is cold as stone,
And if he loves me
As she tells me
Why do I feel so all alone?""Mind over matter in any form is a terrific drain on the body's resources."
"True sorrow is as rare as true love."
Quick facts
Stephen King originally intended his novel Carrie to be a short story, aimed for the men's magazine Cavalier.
Carrie was Stephen King's debut novel, marking the beginning of his prolific writing career. He nearly discarded the project early on, but was encouraged by his wife Tabitha to continue.
King drew inspiration for Carrie's character from two girls he knew during his high school years. One was ostracized for wearing the same outfit to school every day due to her family's poverty, and the other was a shy girl from a deeply religious household.
The novel’s use of primary sources and multiple perspectives was intended to show that no single viewpoint could fully explain or understand the events surrounding Carrie and her powers.
Before his success, King was living in a trailer and working as an English teacher while writing short stories for supplemental income. The advance he received for Carrie allowed him to write full-time.
The original ending King conceived for the novel featured Carrie growing demon horns and destroying an airplane. Following the advice of his editor, King changed it to a more subdued yet still tragic ending.
Carrie has been credited with reviving widespread interest in horror fiction, a genre that had not seen significant mainstream success since the publication of Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca in 1938.
About the author
Stephen King, widely known as the "King of Horror," is a prolific and bestselling American author. His works have sold more than 350 million copies worldwide, with many of his novels and short stories adapted into successful films, television series, and miniseries. King's career took off in 1974 with the publication of Carrie, followed by iconic titles such as Salem's Lot, The Shining, Pet Sematary, The Stand, and It. His ability to blend the ordinary with the supernatural has garnered critical acclaim, alongside a multitude of awards, including the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and the 2014 National Medal of Arts.
King was born on September 21, 1947, and his upbringing in Durham, Maine, under the care of his mother after his father's departure, played a significant role in shaping his literary voice. An avid reader and writer from a young age, King attended the University of Maine, where he wrote for the student newspaper and participated in anti-war activities. After graduating with a BA in English, he struggled to find teaching work, turning to writing for supplemental income. His breakthrough came with a teaching position at Hampden Academy, alongside selling his first professional short story, "The Glass Floor," in 1967.
King's prolific output includes more than 50 bestsellers, spanning various genres. Key novels such as Mr. Mercedes not only received critical acclaim, winning the Edgar Award, but also showcased King's versatility beyond horror, venturing into crime thriller territory. His collaborative work with his son Owen King on Sleeping Beauties and his contributions to mystery and fantasy further display King's broad literary talents. Alongside his literary achievements, King's influence permeates popular culture through adaptations of his works into critically acclaimed and popular films, including The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, and television series. He lives in Maine with his wife, fellow author Tabitha King.
