What is King's fascination with abusing dogs?

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

Just got a copy of The Dead Zone on Sunday from Goodwill. I got to the part where the guy is in the apartment, and he just scared his fellow teacher girlfriend. Then I stopped and realized I just read where a Bible salesman beat and killed a dog for no other reason than the dog being territorial and ripping his pants-cuff.

What is with king using so much animal violence? I understand the points of the horror he uses most of the time, but something about cruelty to animals just seems a bit much to me. Any thoughts, especially thoughts that can give me more insight into why this horrible act happens in the book? So far I like the novel—it is very entertaining as a story.

[Moderator]

He doesn't hate dogs (he has one) but he knows how people react to such events and making people care one way or another about his characters (even the non-human ones) is part of what he's interested in achieving with his writing.

[Sigmund]

I haven't noticed SK using "so much animal violence". I love animals and I think I would have picked up on this. I can't remember specifically that part of The Dead Zone so I can't comment on it. Sometimes things that happen early on in the book will be addressed later on in the book.

[rjt65]

People who perform cruel acts on animals are dirt. A Lot of criminal sociopaths start out torturing defenseless animals and work their way up to humans. If capable of cruelty to animals, not a far stretch on the person's value system being known as bad or psychotic.

So the animal cruelty is the Characters bad fault, not Kings. Capisce?

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Bad people do bad things, and in that one two page section about the dog he tells you everything that you need to know about Greg Stillson.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Patricia A]

Just got a copy of The Dead Zone on Sunday from Goodwill. I got to the part where the guy is in the apartment, and he just scared his fellow teacher girlfriend. Then I stopped and realized I just read where a Bible salesman beat and killed a dog for no other reason than the dog being territorial and ripping his pants-cuff.

What is with king using so much animal violence? I understand the points of the horror he uses most of the time, but something about cruelty to animals just seems a bit much to me. Any thoughts, especially thoughts that can give me more insight into why this horrible act happens in the book? So far I like the novel—it is very entertaining as a story.

I loved The Dead Zone, I hated what happened to the dog but that's the kind of stuff crazy mean people do, so I suppose it just made a huge point of what a whack job this guy was. I think The Dead Zone is one of King's finest. It's a great story and I hope you continue to enjoy it.
You might want to steer clear of Cujo though.... just saying.

[~Ally~]

I guess in Kings book's people AND animals get abused as this is similar to reality.

The salesman basically killed the dog because he could. He felt challenged and exerted his authority in this way as there were no witnesses. Maybe in his head if there was no~one to see it happen, then it didn't really happen? Either way if you continue with the book you will discover the salesman is quite an important character, so it's good to have this earlier insight into his psyche and what makes him tick or explode. Persevere with the story, you will get the answers you are looking for.

[Snaggletooth]

Your post made me stop and think about all of the SK books I've read (and that's all of them except one). Can't say that I see a trend here...Cujo did most of the damage in that book, and even he was afflicted by a non-manmade disease. Other than that, I can't think of any other examples. I hate to see animals abused, whether in print or real life, so I probably would have remembered any other SK scenarios. It sounds like you're over-generalizing here. No biggie.

[dwalters]

I have to admit I have noticed this in several of his books. My thought was that he does it to make you loathe the character in question even more, and from Ms. Mod's post it appears that was correct.

[scarywriter]

Aside from child abuse, there is little that is as offensive to readers as someone hurting a loyal and loving dog. It stirs emotions.

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

My question is why he uses scenes with animal violence so much. It has nothing to do with king as a person, but it is in reference to the aspect of his writing where he uses the animal violence to symbolize somtehing. that was my question--what is King trying to convey with those scenes? Just was asking, didn't know if there was a literary angle king was going with the abuse. Thanks.

[Bryan James]

It's just part of his Korean heritage.

For Birthday parties they hollow a dog out, and then fill it with live grubworms, bottlecaps, peppermints and condoms before stitching it back up. Then the guests take turns wacking it with a golden digeridoo until the dog asplodes.

Then the party begins.

Seems normal to me.

~BJS

[cholubek]

I have not yet read all of Stephen King's books and don't want to read Cujo, but I have found in most of his books that has a dog in it, he kills the dog. They are not necessarly abused, as I just read the part in Under the Dome where the German Shep. gets shot. Mr. King could have at least let him rip the guys throat out before he was shot. I can feel for Mr. Kings characters just fine without him always killing the dogs.

[Denise Marsden]

I think SK is very brave to create his characters and let them grow in strength until they seem capable of anything and go off on their own. He has explored this in his work, ie The Dark Half. He seems to open up to his subconscious and allow the monsters and archetypes common to all of us in our nightmares, to walk right out and on to his page.One of his nightmares may be the cruelty to animals . It takes courage to bring your nightmares to life.

[TBlack]

But James!
You poke badgers with spoons!
Watta ya got against poor badgers?

[~Ally~]

But James!
You poke badgers with spoons!
Watta ya got against poor badgers?

:rofl:

Damn, I wish I had thought of that one!
I really must try harder.

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

But James!
You poke badgers with spoons!
Watta ya got against poor badgers?

That is an animated cartoon, meant as a joke dealing with the tickling of animals (at least, that's how I interpret it). It does not reflect my opinion regarding animals, and I do not condone animal cruelty.

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

I think SK is very brave to create his characters and let them grow in strength until they seem capable of anything and go off on their own. He has explored this in his work, ie The Dark Half. He seems to open up to his subconscious and allow the monsters and archetypes common to all of us in our nightmares, to walk right out and on to his page.One of his nightmares may be the cruelty to animals . It takes courage to bring your nightmares to life.

Thank you, you have brought up a very thoughtful point. I agree with that notion, about bringing the nightmares to the page--after all, King writes mostly horror fiction. Honestly, I hadn't thought about that until you brought it up.

[RandomMan]

Like many have said...Its a violent act of one who is psychology impaired. It gets the readers attention and provokes feelings and attitudes toward that character. Same as when one of his characters acts violently toward women and children. When these events happen, SK knows he's just pulled a string, that is his intent...and it works. Shoot a dog, rape a girl, etc...and I want to beat the hell out of that character!!!!

[~Ally~]

That is an animated cartoon, meant as a joke dealing with the tickling of animals (at least, that's how I interpret it). It does not reflect my opinion regarding animals, and I do not condone animal cruelty.

I'm pretty sure that TBlack's comment was meant as a joke also.
The same as your avatar is...he was just trying to lighten the mood. :smile2:

[FlakeNoir]

But James!
You poke badgers with spoons!
Watta ya got against poor badgers?


That is an animated cartoon, meant as a joke dealing with the tickling of animals (at least, that's how I interpret it). It does not reflect my opinion regarding animals, and I do not condone animal cruelty.


I'm pretty sure that TBlack's comment was meant as a joke also.
The same as your avatar is...he was just trying to lighten the mood. :smile2:

:biggrin2: Ayuh! It worked for me!

[Tery]

Okay, this may be a bit deeper than Uncle Stevie has thought on it (but, knowing him, maybe not). Dogs symbolize several things: loyalty, trust, a companion, males (dogs=male, cat=female), they can be guides, they can symbolize one's psychic senses. Killing a dog, in this context, may be one way of showing the character's inherent lack of or antipathy toward one of these things.

Then again, I may just be swatting at clouds, here.... ;)

[PatInTheHat]

I do not condone animal cruelty.

I don't think you'll find all too many on here who do, as we hunt them down & humanely (yet firmly) euthanize them:wink2:...it's true:eek2:!
So then, could ya rub my belly, I mean really, who doesn't like a good belly rub, and I've had such a particularly hard morning...some would say cruel, but let's be honest, I probably deserved it:blush:.
:biggrin2:

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

I'm pretty sure that TBlack's comment was meant as a joke also.
The same as your avatar is...he was just trying to lighten the mood. :smile2:

That's fine, I just stated my reasoning for my avatar because I wanted to make myself clear to anybody who reads the posts above. A few times in my life, people have thought I was being contradictory on some issue or topic, when really it was another matter entirely. So I just wanted to be clear, but you are right however.

[wendymartt]

hey, i am a animal rights leader..and i have not noticed any animal abuse, other than in that particular story..when king mentions something like that...believe me..there is always something backing it up why it happend that way

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

Okay, this may be a bit deeper than Uncle Stevie has thought on it (but, knowing him, maybe not). Dogs symbolize several things: loyalty, trust, a companion, males (dogs=male, cat=female), they can be guides, they can symbolize one's psychic senses. Killing a dog, in this context, may be one way of showing the character's inherent lack of or antipathy toward one of these things.

Wow, thanks. I never thought of that. i love this forum--I am learning so much!

[zazibar]

It all boils down to him being a fiction writer. I bet that when he writes these things he is probably just as angry as the person reading it. When you sit down to write a story it will often go in directions you never dream of. All I know about Stephen King is the ways he writes but I do know what it means to be a writer of fiction I can tell you from first hand experience that there are times I am writing a story and something really terrible happens and it was never the original intention. Writing is funny that way.

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

All I know about Stephen King is the ways he writes but I do know what it means to be a writer of fiction I can tell you from first hand experience that there are times I am writing a story and something really terrible happens and it was never the original intention. Writing is funny that way.

I am a fiction writer as well; I see what you are saying and agree with you wholeheartedly. It's nice to see another's interpretation with a certain passage of a story, and when the interpretation comes from a fellow author, it really becomes a more concrete image in the mind. Thank you so much for your wonderful insight!

[randallFlaggfan1]

Hi,

Bad people do bad things, and in that one two page section about the dog he tells you everything that you need to know about Greg Stillson.

Long days and pleasant nights


I couldn't have said it better myself. That section is all about getting to know Stillson. Thank you, John!

[KyleKarabekian]

Just got a copy of The Dead Zone on Sunday from Goodwill. I got to the part where the guy is in the apartment, and he just scared his fellow teacher girlfriend. Then I stopped and realized I just read where a Bible salesman beat and killed a dog for no other reason than the dog being territorial and ripping his pants-cuff.

What is with king using so much animal violence? I understand the points of the horror he uses most of the time, but something about cruelty to animals just seems a bit much to me. Any thoughts, especially thoughts that can give me more insight into why this horrible act happens in the book? So far I like the novel—it is very entertaining as a story.


Um, first of all: It's a book. It's not like King is personely going and killing dogs. Ms. Mod is right. I'm not going to repeat her answer.

[TheWalkingDude]

Killing/cruelty to animals in fiction/film is always somehow more emotive than the killing of or torture of humans. I don't know about in the States, but here in the UK 5 times more is given to animal welfare and rights charities than to human rights organisations like Amnesty. It's a bizarre thing - people love dogs more than they love other people. So if you really want to show a character is cruel and heartless, have them kick a dog. Kicking a human seems to offend/rile readers far less. Illogical, but true. King, being a good writer, knows this and plays on it.

[cfin5256]

IMO, it's just characterization. If you were writing about serial killers, you could do so without touching on animal abuse being a large indicator, but adding it to the writing is a great opportunity to add depth of character or influence your reader for or against said character. JMO.

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

Um, first of all: It's a book. It's not like King is personely going and killing dogs. Ms. Mod is right. I'm not going to repeat her answer.

I KNOW it's a book; people sometimes write about themes they are fascinated about. Just because people don't do things themselves doesn't mean that they're not fascinated in the concepts. I just wanted to figure what literary motive King had for the devices he used to write.

[no bounce no play]

I'm one of those people who are ultra sensitive about dog deaths. I can watch slasher flicks and laugh, but I can't watch Disney movies. Old Yeller was especially disturbing :( I think its a cheap ploy on Disney's part to pull at heartstrings by killing an animal. I get it that SK is demonstrating a psychopath's evil nature by having the character abuse a dog but Patrick Hockstetter made me so angy, I had to skip over the part in IT where Hockstetter stuffed the puppy in the fridge.

[Mary Strickland]

Stephen King would not harm any pet or animal, period. He is a soft hearted and caring person. You will never hear in the news that he mistreated any person or animal, hurt his wife or kids or grandkids, that is just a given. If you don't get that from reading his work, you aren't paying attention. He is more solid than John Wayne!!

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

Stephen King would not harm any pet or animal, period. He is a soft hearted and caring person. You will never hear in the news that he mistreated any person or animal, hurt his wife or kids or grandkids, that is just a given. If you don't get that from reading his work, you aren't paying attention. He is more solid than John Wayne!!

I do get it, I was just asking what characterization he was creating with the scene I had just read. Gee, I didn't realize one question would cause so much anger among readers.

[michal]

I think that your disgust really proves the point. For me human horrors in books and movies they're... well... Not that bad. I've heard it and seen it all before, haven't I? But when I think about a helpless animal being abused, it really moves me. I cried in the scene from the Dead Zone (and again in Under the Dome on a similar scene and even at the end of Gerald's Games. I felt bad for that dog as well.
Point being?
It's a good literary technique to make you feel.

[skyrow]

"It" with the dogs in the fridge was a little gross but hey, it's SK you learn to expect he grotesque, if he didn't write stuff like that would you be as interested to read his works???

[MyLife4YouSK]

Don't rent Marley and Me! dear God., ::sniff sniff:: My son Jake(11) actually cries during sad scenes with dogs. He says he's gonna miss our dog when he's gone but why does he bug him so much when he's here! lol KIDS! :devil:

[Pucker]

I do get it, I was just asking what characterization he was creating with the scene I had just read. Gee, I didn't realize one question would cause so much anger among readers.

The scene in question is not designed merely to show that Greg Stillson is a psycopath. There is a very specific reason it is important for us to know that he cannot control his temper.

[GNTLGNT]

Never thought Uncle Stevie focused just on canines-he pretty much uses and abuses with abandon, no particular genus or species is safe in his storytelling...

[Miibi]

Hi. I'm going to share my thoughts on the subject althoug a lot of it has allready been said.
First of all, I also think, that it's a quite interesting scene in the book, and that it's a very important part of building up Greg Stillsons character.

I think, this scene shows a number of things. First of all, it plays on the emotion. When we are shown the dogs thoughts etc. we understand and feel with the dog. I think we all have this idea of a "good dog"; a loyal, loving etc. dog. And then we have an idea of a good working dog (guard dog? english isn't my best), who protects and serve the family because it is loyal and loving. So the dogs wish to protect is understandable to most of us, as it just underlines how loyal and loving it is. SK in other words, makes us think of this dog as a "good dog", an animal, which most people can sympathise with.
Greg stilson lacks this sympathy, he's annoyd with it. This tells us something about his empathy (is that a word in english? otherwise: His ability to feel sympathy for and understand other living beings), a quality we often find is most wanted in our leaders. The ability to feel sympathy for others is often a part of our perception of the "good person". Anyways, it is definily a part of being a good leader, that much is clear.

Also the dog, and other pets for that matter, evokes some feelings in people, that otherwise only ones children and closest family tend to do. I think it has do with the fact, that one tend to see pets as defenseless, and the way that a pet gives you unconditionally love, especially dogs.
By tapping into these feelings you can underline a specific thing in a character or a situation. In SK's work, I have found, that it often shows cruelty in a person. Another example is in UTD, where a dog is shot. This underlines how the situation has gotten out of control. I think, that he on purpose uses it as a tool in his writing, when he needs to evoke strong feelings.

[Lizziee]

If you find SK bad, don't even open a Larry McMurty book :eek2: As miibi says, I think it's an effective way of charachterising someone as completely sociopathic/psychopathic (i.e. attacking a defenseless and unprovocative being) without going that step-too-far and depicting child abuse or murder. Animal abuse can be dealt with relatively quickly, a short shock, whereas child abuse would need to be treated as an integral part of a plot and fully explained to be socially acceptable. For example, in UTD Little Walter is ignored by Sammy's rapists, despite him being an easy target if SK wanted to portray them as really evil, and even if inadvertantly evil by letting him die on the road, yet he kept LW alive to the end.

[herethere999]

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but is the dog killing in the movie version? I have a friend who doesn't like to see that sort of thing and we might watch it soon.

[jellydonut25]

I've noticed this as well and while I agree that it is an easy and quick way to make you hate a character, that sort of is one of my complaints about it...it's easy and quick...also, it always makes me cringe - The animal violence is Wizard and Glass is especially gratuitous, imho...

[lightninghawk]

i've noticed a hell of a lot more humans take a beating in king's works than do animals!! in the case of greg stillson, it was meant to set the precedent of his lack of control of his evil tendency.

[kirkpanzer]

If all that BS is correct about making the monster badder and more hated then, what's up with " Stand By Me" four boys and the only dog they know of is the monster and they do what they can to hurt it! SK does a lot of unnessary killing and hurting of dogs not cats, not birds or fish or hamsters and so on. As a dog lover I have yet to see a happy dog get a good ending and some or so ambiguous some of you have missed them all together they are in every movie so far horror or not. " Riding the Bullet" , "Night Shift, IT, The Green Mile and so on