⚠️Content Warning: brief mention of abuse
INTRODUCTION BLOG
A few weeks ago, I started reading Rose Madder by Stephen King, and I’m about 1/3 of the way finished. As a reader who favors non fiction due to my short attention span and fear of commitment, I can confidently say that once again King has hooked me in as soon as I started reading. The first chapter is so far, the most intense part. The book follows the journey of Rose McClendon, a survivor of intense domestic abuse escaping from her husband, Norman Daniels. What makes this book a true horror is the fact Norman is a police officer, dedicated to tracking people down. The book starts off with Rose having a realization from a single drop of blood on her pillow after the miscarriage of her child. Her decision to run away is quick and not well planned, which adds to the intensity of the story. Rose relies on the kindness of strangers and hidden strength within herself after years of suppressing it. Everyday actions like finding a new job, new friends, and a safe space at a shelter for abused women (Daughters And Sisters), become milestones for Rose as she battles the Norman within her head, and the fear of the physical version of him returning as he starts getting closer and closer to finding her….(Very suspenseful!)
All of what I just said takes place within the first couple chapters of the book, hooking the reader as soon as they pick it up.
I will continue to read to the middle of the book before my next blog, hoping to provide more analysis of themes and symbols. I also plan to do some creative writing along the way, such as screenplays, short stories, poems, and ending predictions!
BLOG #2
Unofficial Screenplay
Based off novel Rose Madder by Stephen King
Written and directed by Henry Tardiff
Scene based on pages 89-91
Rose is walking around town when she passes a pawn shop
[shot of afternoon sun and passing cars and city hustle fade as camera pans to Rose walking down the street, camera walking with her]
[camera angle changes to a view from the inside of the store out the window at Rose who stops to look at the sign]
(Clocks ticking, door creaks open and Rose steps in)
[camera pans from left to right showing Rose’s perspective of the shop]
[camera switches to 3rd person perspective of Rose walking toward the counter and focuses on Bill working on the pocket watch]
[Rose turns to look at a man in the corner before being interrupted]
Bill: Help you ma’am?
[camera faces Bill]
Rose: Maybe you can (slips off ring and lays it on counter)
[camera now behind Bill, facing his back and Rose’s front]
Rose: How much would you say that’s worth? [Camera focuses on Rose] And how much could you give me for it?
Bill: (picks up ring and holds it to sunlight)
[the ring shines and a shot of the rainbow reflection in Rose’s eye]
Bill: (glances up at Rose then back to the ring)
Rose: (frowning) what? What is it?
Bill: (shortly) nothing. Just a moment…. (Peers into the magnifying glass) (looks back up at Rose)
Rose’s “demonic” inner voice: if you knew that ring was fake you would have gotten out sooner. Did you really believe he would have given you a ring worth the price of a car?
[camera switches perspective from Rose to Bill as they speak back and forth]
Rose: it’s fake isn’t it?
Bill: well, (looks up from the ring at Rose) it’s a perfectly real Zirconia, but no, not a real diamond if that’s what you mean.
Rose: (shaking her head, voice breaking) of course that’s what I mean. What else would I mean?
Bill: (leans forward, lowers voice) are you okay?
Rose: (starting to tear up) Hell, I don’t know (pulls tissue out of pocket book) probably.
Bill: (leans back) well, you’re in good company, you’d be surprised how many ladies like you-
Rose: (cutting off Bill) oh stop, if I need something uplifting, I’ll buy a support bra
Flashback of Norman gifting her the ring
Norman: content yourself with knowing it was either a Buick or the rock. I decided on the rock because I love you Rose.
Back to present time
Literate Capybaras 