53 pages • 1 hour read
Stephen KingA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying, racism, gender discrimination, cursing, child death, illness, and death.
Arnie is the novel’s main character since the events center on him. Dennis emphasizes Arnie’s centrality when he declares, “This is the story of a lover’s triangle, I suppose you’d say—Arnie Cunningham, Leigh Cabot, and, of course, Christine” (12). Arnie’s relationship with Christine propels the narrative. He becomes infatuated with the car, leading to conflicts that consume his life and those of the other characters.
Stephen King keeps Arnie rather distant. Dennis narrates parts 1 and 2, and an omniscient narrator takes over in Part 3. The omniscient narrator can access Arnie’s torment; nevertheless, Arnie is never in charge of his own story: A mediator is consistently present between him and readers. King’s choice to deny Arnie a turn as narrator emphasizes his lack of free will: He can’t disentangle himself from LeBay and Christine. In addition, Arnie’s remoteness adds mystique and keeps both readers and Arnie uncertain about what’s occurring. The most natural conclusion is that an elusive combination of LeBay’s spirit and Christine possesses Arnie.
Arnie’s role as a character is equally elusive.
By Stephen King
11.22.63
11.22.63
Stephen King
1408
1408
Stephen King
Bag of Bones
Bag of Bones
Stephen King
Billy Summers
Billy Summers
Stephen King
Carrie
Carrie
Stephen King
Children of the Corn
Children of the Corn
Stephen King
Cujo
Cujo
Stephen King
Different Seasons
Different Seasons
Stephen King
Doctor Sleep
Doctor Sleep
Stephen King
Dolores Claiborne
Dolores Claiborne
Stephen King
Duma Key
Duma Key
Stephen King
Elevation
Elevation: A Novel
Stephen King
End of Watch
End of Watch
Stephen King
Fairy Tale
Fairy Tale
Stephen King
Finders Keepers
Finders Keepers
Stephen King
Firestarter
Firestarter
Stephen King
From a Buick 8
From a Buick 8
Stephen King
Full Dark, No Stars
Full Dark, No Stars
Stephen King
Gerald's Game
Gerald's Game
Stephen King
Gwendy's Button Box
Gwendy's Button Box
Stephen King, Richard Chizmar
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection
View Collection