Summary
Stephen King’s It, published in 1986, is a significant work in horror literature. The novel features Pennywise, a shape-shifting entity terrorizing the fictional town of Derry, Maine, by exploiting children’s fears. The story, over 1,000 pages long, alternates between 1958 and 1985. It follows the Losers Club, seven children confronting this evil.
It won the 1987 British Fantasy Award. The book explores themes of childhood trauma, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil. King’s narrative delves into the characters' psyches, reflecting their fears. By doing so, It became a pivotal entry in King’s body of work, influencing modern horror by addressing primal human fears.
Plot
In "It" by Stephen King, Derry, Maine is the setting for a narrative across two timelines: 1957-1958 and 1984-1985. The story starts with the death of Georgie Denbrough, killed by an entity named Pennywise, disguised as a clown. This event leads to a series of child disappearances unnoticed by adults. Georgie's brother, Bill, and his friends, "The Losers Club," face Pennywise, who appears as their personal fears, like a mummy or a werewolf.
The children learn that Pennywise is a shape-shifter that reappears every 27 years to terrorize Derry. They decide to stop the cycle by confronting It in the sewers in the "Ritual of Chüd." They temporarily defeat It and vow to reunite if Pennywise returns.
By 1984, Derry experiences horrors again with It's return. Mike Hanlon, the only Loser left in Derry, calls his friends to fulfill their promise. As they regroup, past memories resurface, rekindling their determination to face their fears. Stan Uris dies by suicide, unable to cope with the trauma, showing the deep scars from their past experiences.
In a climactic sewer battle, the Losers perform the Ritual of Chüd again. They find Pennywise has laid eggs, suggesting future threats. Eddie Kaspbrak dies heroically protecting his friends. Bill destroys It's physical form, ending the entity's hold over their lives.
Afterward, a storm devastates Derry, symbolically cleansing the town of evil. As the survivors depart, their memories fade, indicating emotional recovery. Bill rides his childhood bicycle, Silver, reviving his wife from a catatonic state, an act of hope and renewal.
Characters
Stephen King's features a diverse cast, each playing an essential role in the story.
