was there any way out? [Spoilers]

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Randolph Carter

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Sep 13, 2015
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On the forum for Revival, Pet Sematary came up as an example of a story about a man messing with forces he shouldn't have. And that got me thinking more about Pet Sematary, and one of the many troubling (in a good horror-story way) about it.

Basically, was there anyway Louis could have gotten out of the situation?

At firs glance it seems like a Frankenstein-esque tale-that if he hadn't ventured into forbidden territory all that bad stuff wouldn't have happened to him. But I felt like there was more than that.

There was constant talk in the book of characters being compelled to resurrect things, starting with Jud claiming he felt pulled to bring Louis there to resurrect the cat. And Gage's death seemed tied to the power there, as the truck driver claimed he felt compelled to speed by the house.

Maybe it's my religious beliefs, but I always like to think how a sad ending could have turned out happier. And it's hard in this case. If Louis hadn't brought the cat back, that seems like it would have prevented the later tragedies, but he wasn't really in control then either. So maybe just by being there, he and his family were cursed.

I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
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Cambridge, Ohio
On the forum for Revival, Pet Sematary came up as an example of a story about a man messing with forces he shouldn't have. And that got me thinking more about Pet Sematary, and one of the many troubling (in a good horror-story way) about it.

Basically, was there anyway Louis could have gotten out of the situation?

At firs glance it seems like a Frankenstein-esque tale-that if he hadn't ventured into forbidden territory all that bad stuff wouldn't have happened to him. But I felt like there was more than that.

There was constant talk in the book of characters being compelled to resurrect things, starting with Jud claiming he felt pulled to bring Louis there to resurrect the cat. And Gage's death seemed tied to the power there, as the truck driver claimed he felt compelled to speed by the house.

Maybe it's my religious beliefs, but I always like to think how a sad ending could have turned out happier. And it's hard in this case. If Louis hadn't brought the cat back, that seems like it would have prevented the later tragedies, but he wasn't really in control then either. So maybe just by being there, he and his family were cursed.

I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts.
...I think that's probably as good a line of reasoning as any....the influence of that dark area played it's games with the hearts, minds and souls of those nearby-and exploited normal human weaknesses.....there was no happy to be found in this novel, nor anyway to introduce it before the climax, without King being dishonest with his own storytelling.....
 

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
80,755
195,461
Atlanta GA
On the forum for Revival, Pet Sematary came up as an example of a story about a man messing with forces he shouldn't have. And that got me thinking more about Pet Sematary, and one of the many troubling (in a good horror-story way) about it.

Basically, was there anyway Louis could have gotten out of the situation?

At firs glance it seems like a Frankenstein-esque tale-that if he hadn't ventured into forbidden territory all that bad stuff wouldn't have happened to him. But I felt like there was more than that.

There was constant talk in the book of characters being compelled to resurrect things, starting with Jud claiming he felt pulled to bring Louis there to resurrect the cat. And Gage's death seemed tied to the power there, as the truck driver claimed he felt compelled to speed by the house.

Maybe it's my religious beliefs, but I always like to think how a sad ending could have turned out happier. And it's hard in this case. If Louis hadn't brought the cat back, that seems like it would have prevented the later tragedies, but he wasn't really in control then either. So maybe just by being there, he and his family were cursed.

I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts.

...I think that's probably as good a line of reasoning as any....the influence of that dark area played it's games with the hearts, minds and souls of those nearby-and exploited normal human weaknesses.....there was no happy to be found in this novel, nor anyway to introduce it before the climax, without King being dishonest with his own storytelling.....
Yes, I agree. It's a horror story and horror speaks about evil forces beyond men's power to control and sometimes to resist.
 

Pucker

We all have it coming, kid
May 9, 2010
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I suppose you could extrapolate that whatever force inhabits the cemetery (or the whole woods) needs to be utilized in order to maintain its power; the way your computer needs you tapping on it to keep it from going to sleep. Clearly there are characters in the story -- Jud, in particular -- who ignore their better nature and share the secret, despite the fact that they know little (or nothing) good has ever come back over the deadfall. This is simple human weakness as informed by whatever that power is. But the woods themselves -- the Wendigo, if you prefer -- do (does) seem to radiate a certain dark magnetism, kind of like the ship in the ground in The Tommyknockers.

Ultimately, I suppose you could say that it was nothing more than bad luck that the Creeds choose to move in, but once there, we see how the resident menace works on those who welcome its influence most readily (as Louis surely does).
 

do1you9love?

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Feb 18, 2012
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The only thing that MIGHT have saved the Creed family is if Jud had left them alone. But it probably wouldn't have worked, either. It was a tragic story, and tragedy is inevitable.
I agree with this. I think the Creed family was doomed. Maybe because of where they moved, or maybe that doom pulled them to move there.
Pascow died then returned to warn Lewis before Jud took them to the semetary for the first time.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
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I agree with this. I think the Creed family was doomed. Maybe because of where they moved, or maybe that doom pulled them to move there.
Pascow died then returned to warn Lewis before Jud took them to the semetary for the first time.
...I guess it depends on the degree of unreality that one is willing to accept...
 

not_nadine

Comfortably Roont
Nov 19, 2011
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Behind you
I agree with this. I think the Creed family was doomed. Maybe because of where they moved, or maybe that doom pulled them to move there.
Pascow died then returned to warn Lewis before Jud took them to the semetary for the first time.

You say true, but Jud did the family no favors though. Maybe he just wanted to tell his stories again to new people. Or was it something he had to do?
Someone had brought up his wife in another post, and it really had me thinking if maybe.....
 

do1you9love?

Happy to be here!
Feb 18, 2012
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Virginia
You say true, but Jud did the family no favors though. Maybe he just wanted to tell his stories again to new people. Or was it something he had to do?
Someone had brought up his wife in another post, and it really had me thinking if maybe.....
Oh yes! I remember that one.
Anyway you go this was one very scary tale.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
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Cambridge, Ohio
You say true, but Jud did the family no favors though. Maybe he just wanted to tell his stories again to new people. Or was it something he had to do?
Someone had brought up his wife in another post, and it really had me thinking if maybe.....
....I think the old boy was under a compulsion that ultimately cost him...payed the Wendigo rather than the piper eh?....
 
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Randolph Carter

Active Member
Sep 13, 2015
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thanks for your thoughts everyone. Of all the disturbing stuff in the book, that's still what gets me the most. But I guess that's why he's such a great writer.