Mr. Robert Grey

[robdraggoo]

I am reading IT for the 1st time. Im only about 200 pages in. I have only recenlty been reading SK just recenlty and I cant stop reading his books. Ive been watching the movies based on his stuff for years. I was just never really a reader. But Know I have finally discovered the joys of reading. Anyhow, to my actual question. In the 1st chapter of the book, IT tells Georgie is name is Mr. Robert Grey I think. IS this the same Mr. Grey from Dreamcatcher?

[wally wonder]

i wouldn't trust anyone with a color for their name. and that goes double for those neutral earth tones.

[Robert Gray]

I am reading IT for the 1st time. Im only about 200 pages in. I have only recenlty been reading SK just recenlty and I cant stop reading his books. Ive been watching the movies based on his stuff for years. I was just never really a reader. But Know I have finally discovered the joys of reading. Anyhow, to my actual question. In the 1st chapter of the book, IT tells Georgie is name is Mr. Robert Grey I think. IS this the same Mr. Grey from Dreamcatcher?

No, it is not. It is a cosmic being of unfathomable power. The neverending list of names (and faces) presented are nothing more than glamours. Is that particular name important? It is possible, but improbable. Whether It calls itself Bob Gray or Pennywise or plastic Paul Bunyan is beside the point. The best and perhaps most accurate name is what the the Losers dubbed it, i.e. "It." Since coincidence is rarely accidental in the macroverse of Sai King, I expect there might be some connection but nothing as direct as one being the other. Of course, it could very well be a coincidence. There are many people who have spent a lot of time trying to connect the dots between all Sai King's various stories and the Dark Tower series. Sometimes you can draw a straight line. Most of the time you cannot and it is pointless to try. Each story should (in my not so humble opinion) just be enjoyed for itself. That being said, there are several popular theories as to how "It" connects to the tapestry of other tales.

1. It is the Crimson King or its representation in the Derry universe.

I'm not a fan of this theory. I believe that It as represented in the universe that houses Derry is far more powerful than the Crimson King and a good deal less complicated. It is beyond plots, ambitious or petty. It is cunning and spiteful but simple in a way far more terrible than the Crimson King could ever be. I think it far more likely that It was exactly as presented in the novel, a being of unfathomable power which believed itself to be alone (as a God of sorts) except for the Turtle. Later it began to suspect that the "Other" existed too. This entity covets. It is outside. It wants in. It wants to feed. It could care less about the machinations of lesser being which it sees as nothing more than cattle. I think it far more likely that the Crimson King was aware of the Derry universe and stayed the hell out of it, until (of course) It was slain by the Losers and this new territory was no longer defended. At that point, he rolled right in with his little minions and plots. The Crimson King assumed the local mantle of It but that doesn't make him It. I hope that makes sense.

2. It lives.

I'm not a fan of this theory either. The Losers killed it. There is no doubt about that. It does not live. However, that doesn't mean that the Losers got every last one of the infernal spawn. Moreover, nothing says that It can't haunt Derry as a true ghost now. That would be a fitting hell for It, to be forever trapped in its favorite hunting ground and unable to touch the cattle or affect the world. Remember, it was trying to go back to where it came from. The Losers killed it before It could do so. The physical body died, trapping that immortal spirit (energy cannot be destroyed only changed to another form) local and impotent. It could be that the clown Mr. Gray from Dreamcatcher sees in Derry is either one of It's spawn using a glamour or (as I postulate) the psychic energy of It stuck as a true ghost. The psychic alien (and his host) would be capable of seeing such things. The coincidence of Mr. Gray's name and Derry could be another attempt by It (or the Crimson King) to try and kill everyone around and thereby manage to hit a particular target. At the point It became killed (or trapped) its goals would become the same as those of the Crimson King (well close enough). It would wish to end the macroverse and destroy reality so it could return to the Deadlights. A powerful psychic being like that could reach out and manipulate aliens with a psychic bent (just as It controls some humans). We are reaching here, looking for a connection as if a connection is important. It isn't.

3. Derry is a Thinny.

This is my own particular theory, so naturally I am biased toward it. Derry and the surrounding area is a Thinny. It is a place where energy and coincidence gather. Worlds touch here due to the hole in space and time It ripped when it first arrived. Think back on It's arrival in the Derry universe. It isn't clean or simple like dimensional travel in King's others stories. Reality is torn a new one. I submit that this wound isn't sealed. It still bleeds and attracts flies. For the longest time a super-predator (an evil God if you will) resided in the wound. That kept everything else away. Once It was gone (or rendered impotent) all bets were off. Things, particularly dark things, are drawn there by resonance or by ambition (as in the Crimson King's case).

[Robert Gray]

Erk. I just remembered you said you were only 200 pages in. Don't read any of my spoilers until you finish the book. You shouldn't even be asking about other books while you are still in this one. That is why I wish people wouldn't spend so much time worrying about the macroverse. The macroverse will take care of itself. You just take things one novel (and one reality) at a time.

[robdraggoo]

Well, thanks for the insight. I was just curious. You did mention that Mr. King never puts these names in by accident. Perhaps this isnt the last we will see of Derry and that crazy kid eating clown.

[Robert Gray]

It might not be, but for my own part I hope it is the last we see of him. I'm always thrilled to return to Derry (as we did in Insomnia), but some greatest monsters should stay dead once slain. The world has moved on since then. If the story was done right the first time, there is no reason to revisit it.

[MickyMcStaggers]

I just finished It this morning, around 4am - just couldn't put it down until I was finished. I've read It a few times before, and I have read most of King's other novels, but I just keep coming back to It. Anyway, reading your post about these theories brings me back to undergrad English class where we were to analyze (in great detail) books. I'm currently working on my PhD in toxicology - and I've (still) never been able to get a great grasp on deep analysis of literature. Reading your post really had me thinking more about It itself - it's real form. Anyway, not that I have anything helpful to contribute to this post, but just wanted to say thanks for the insight. -Micky