"Pilings"

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Ryan Park

New Member
Oct 25, 2016
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5
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Hello. I am a 11th grade student and I have just started reading Misery and am enjoying it so far. However, I am having a hard time understanding King's writing; the whole metaphor of "pilings" and the tide in the beginning of the book confuses me. Is it a way of describing Paul's pain as constant like piles of sand on the beach? Why did King choose to use the word "piling"? I would assume the metaphor would have some deeper meaning than just pain for him to use it so frequently. If anyone could help me out that would be great.
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
Hi and welcome! :watermelon:

It's been a long time since I read Misery, but have you been to a beach? Not sure where you are from. These are the types of "pilings" SK is referring to. Does this help?

Pilings_under_kemah_restaurant-BIG.jpg



Piling
noun. 1. a long column of timber, concrete, or steel that is driven into the ground to provide a foundation for a vertical load (a bearing pile) or a group of such columns to resist a horizontal load from earth or water pressure (a sheet pile)
 

mjs9153

Peripherally known member..
Nov 21, 2014
3,494
22,165
well put by the previous posters..if you have ever had serious pain,it can come in waves,crashing against you,and hopefully after a while it recedes..but it does return..that is after a broken bone or worse,and the meds can only round off the pain at times..