Modern gothic literature involves the use of terrifying, horrifying, and uncertain death events. A gothic story requires a frightening setting and unusual characters. 1408, a story by King, is a reflection of modern gothic literature. It is composed of elements of terror, horror, death and suspense. Great parts of the story also unveil the supernatural powers that coexisted within room 1408. Most of the events in the 1408 story, took place at night. In writing this story, the author unveiled the theme of ignorance that played a significant role in advancing gothic activities, which took place within room 1408. The author of this story used two characters, namely, Mr. Elnis and Mr. Olin in expressing his views concerning gothic events. The terrific events that took place within room 1408 have close relation with gothic events that take place in modern literature.
Element of fear emerges in almost all current gothic stories. This element is also expressed in the 1408 story. Mr. Olin used it widely in trying to convince Enslin not to spend his night in room 1408. While narrating the stories of the past events to Enslin, Mr. Olin used terrifying words in describing the events that had taken place in the past within room 1408. For instance, he emphasized the events that had contributed to one of the twin sisters’ death. According to Mr. Olin, the death of one of the twin sisters was due to her visit to room 1408. Mr. Olin further expressed how a tailor who had spent a night in room 1408 had decided to jump from the 13th floor of the Hotel, in which Enslin was going to spend a night. The tailor had decided to jump because of fear of the things he saw in room 1408. Element of fear is also shown by Enslin, the complete silence of the thirteen floors made Enslin find it hard to open the door to his room. The fear engraved in Enslin impaired his vision, for example, he saw the door to his room crooked. In addition, the encounter of Enslin with surprising things in the room such as the picture of a woman with bleeding nipples made him tremble (Rolls, 142)
Element of suspicion also appeared greatly in the 1408 story. The author of the story used diverse ways in expressing his gothic views. Most of the stories written by Enslin within King’s story leave the reader with too much suspicion. For example, in one of his stories, Enslin wrote about his adventure with the dead, an act that leaves many readers with the urge of wanting to know more of what might have caused him to spend the night with the dead (Rolls, 145). The presence of a beautiful woman picture on the wall and the furnishing of room 1408 portrayed something unusual. The bright accommodative lighting system with a gridded window also expressed something curious. Additionally, the location and negligence of room 1408 contribute to the creation of suspicion in the 1408 story.
The element of horror is also depicted in great parts of the 1408 story. Mr. Olin narrated to Enslin horrific events that took place within room 1408 in the past; he used this as a way of discouraging Enslin from spending his night in room 1408. The majority of people who had spent their nights within room 1408 had also died painfully while others developed complications and died after short periods. The experience of Enslin also outlines the horrifying events of the 1408 story. In fact, Enslin was amazed at the way the door to room 1408 kept changing, at one point it appeared crooked and at another time it appeared straight. The changing of the appearance of the pinned picture on the wall was also horrifying: at first, the woman on the picture looked beautiful (Browning, 27), then changed to the horrifying creature. The change of air in the room was also another source of fear; it contributed to Enslin developing difficulties in breathing. The barred communication between Enslin and the management of the hotel also horrified Enlis greatly: he could not seek assistance from the management. The message from an unknown person via the telephone also advanced Enslin’s fear.
Element of death plays a significant role in enhancing the success of modern gothic literature. On most occasions, the death cases experienced in modern literature are uncommon. The deaths in gothic literature occur mysteriously, or some unusual forces lead to the death of innocent people. The element of death is also expressed in the 1408 story. Most people that spent their nights in room 1408 died instantly while some developed complications that resulted in their death. According to Mr. Olin, more than 31 people who had spent their night in room 1408 had faced their deaths while in the same room. On the other hand, more than 12 people who had spent their nights in room 1408 had committed suicide by jumping from the 13th floor. Additionally, most of the modern gothic literature encompasses the use of blood to magnify terror. In his story, King uses the element of blood to diversify his views concerning gothic literature. The bleeding picture in room 1408 magnified Elion’s terror; it made him tremble and have walking difficulties.
Most authors of modern gothic literature use a dark setting in expressing their views. This applies also in the 1408 story. King, in writing his story he used a dark setting to express his gothic views. Most of the horrifying events in the 1408 story took place during the night, for instance, all the death cases in the story took place during the night. The encounter of Enslin with the horrifying events also took place during the night. In addition, the narration by Mr. Elion proves that most death cases took place during the night. Most of the stories written by one of the characters of the 1408 story have a dark setting; in fact, in one of his stories, Enslin expressed his night spending with the dead.
Element of suspense is also expressed in most of the modern gothic literature. The same applies in the 1408 story. After the encounter of Enslin with the horrifying events in the room, the author leaves the reader with the urge of wanting to know what happened to Enslin. In addition, the reader of the 1408 story ends not knowing the steps taken against the manager of the Dolphin Hotel (Browning, 31).
In conclusion, the 1408 story has great relation with modern gothic literature. Just as modern gothic literature, 1408 story had a dark setting. In both modern gothic literature and 1408 story, there is a great use of suspense, horror, terror, and death. In addition, the author of the 1408 story includes the element of suspense in meeting his objectives.
Works Cited
Browning, Mark. Steven King on the big screen. New York: Intellect Books, 2009. Print.
Rolls, Albert. Stephen King: A Biography. New York: ABC-CLIO. 2008. Print.