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Literary Elements In Salem's Lot By Stephen King

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A story with a gloomy setting, supernatural beings, romance and intense emotions; these elements make for a modern gothic lit story. All these elements belong to the exciting novel, “Salem’s Lot” by Stephen King. “Salem’s Lot” was a story of a man named Ben Mears, a writer that returns to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot in search of inspiration to write a new book. However when he shows up in town a vampire drops by for a visit as well. The vampire slowly goes around turning the people of the town. Soon Ben and a few of his new found friends learn of the presence of the vampire and take action against them. Ben and his new orphan friend manage to take down the head vampire and walk away alive unlike the rest of the town. Just like most other classic gothic lit stories, “Salem’s Lot” includes the key elements of, a gloomy setting, supernatural beings, romance and intense …show more content…

Do you want to?’
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I want that.’” The love between the two of them was extremely strong and only continues to grow.

The final element is intense emotion. As previously stated Ben and Susan had a very serious relationship. This made Ben having to drive a stake through her chest so difficult for him and heartbreaking. “It was done. He backed away, dropping the hammer, holding his hands out before him, a terrified conductor whose symphony has run riot.” Susan was turned and Ben had to kill her to free her soul. He was so in love with her that is hurt him so badly to do that to her. He runs away from the body after it’s done because he couldn’t contain himself.

In conclusion, Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot” is a perfect example of a modern gothic lit story; Because of the intense emotion shown in the section when Ben has to kill Susan, the creepy presence of the Marsten house, the bloodthirsty vampires and the roman between Ben and Susan. Gothic lit stories make a good read. I encourage you to pick this one up and give it a read, it’s worth your

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