Abstract:
Humans have been fascinated with horror stories since the beginning of time. The things that shock and scare us are often the things that we are able to recall with the most clarity. Many supernatural horror stories are as well-developed and poignant as other fantasy tales. One of horror's most powerful and relevant authors, Stephen King, writes such tales. In this thesis, I analyze fantasy and horror, explaining how horror falls under the umbrella of fantasy literature, and I further explore its cultural significance and appeal. I then examine King's first three published works, Carrie (1974), 'Salem's Lot (1975), and The Shining (1977), emphasizing their complex themes. Through this analysis, I demonstrate that Stephen King is a skilled author and that his works have meaning beyond their horrific elements.
