How I feel about Al Marsh +spoilers all of the spoilers+

[Rick Aucoin]

My god, I've never hated a character in a book as much as I hate Al Marsh from "IT".

He's Beverly Marsh's controlling, abusive, father and it's to the point where I get sick at my stomach every time he's in a scene in the book. I've had tears in my eyes and my hands shaking just reading chapters he's in, like Ch9 "Cleaning Up".

Just the idea that someone like this could exist enrages me and breaks my heart.

^*^*
'Oh' He smiled a little at her now, as if pleased by this explanation. 'Was that it? Damn! If you'd told me, Beverly, I never would have hit you. All girls are scared of spiders. Sam Hill! Why didn't you speak up?'
^*^*

Gah!! Die, screaming and on fire you pig-****er!!!

Okay, had to get that off my chest. Gah!

 

[Rick Aucoin]

I'd like to make him worry. A whole LOT.

 

[skimom2]

He's a pip, all right. Norman in Rose Madder is awful, too. I don't think anyone measures up (down?) to Humbert Humbert in Lolita, though.

 

[Rick Aucoin]

I guess everyone's got their own devils but I always felt Humbert was just sad rather than the apotheosis of evil like Al Friggin Marsh.

Hate, so much hate for that bastard...

*sigh*

 

[Doc Creed]

I hated Nurse Ratched from OFOTCN.

 

[skimom2]

I guess everyone's got their own devils but I always felt Humbert was just sad rather than the apotheosis of evil like Al Friggin Marsh.

Hate, so much hate for that bastard...

*sigh*

Nope nope. A man who sleeps with a woman to get to her 12 year old daughter, then is excited when the (later) 18 year old gets pregnant because he will soon have access to a third generation...not sad at all. A monster.

 

[Rick Aucoin]

..not sad at all. A monster.

I get that but to me he always just seemed sad, as in pathetic not as in sympathetic. It was always going to end badly for him it seemed to me.

But, hell, everyone's got their personal demons and saying one is worse than another is probably foolish and silly so I'll not do that.

Al Marsh is a lot closer to my demon than Humbert Humbert is, is all.

Though it's hardly a tough argumentto say they both should die on fire.

 

[skimom2]

Though it's hardly a tough argumentto say they both should die on fire.

 

[GNTLGNT]

....any abuser of women or children should have their genitals polished with a belt sander and then dipped in rubbing alcohol.....afterward, let the high speed hot lead therapy begin......

 

[recitador]

My god, I've never hated a character in a book as much as I hate Al Marsh from "IT".

He's Beverly Marsh's controlling, abusive, father and it's to the point where I get sick at my stomach every time he's in a scene in the book. I've had tears in my eyes and my hands shaking just reading chapters he's in, like Ch9 "Cleaning Up".

Just the idea that someone like this could exist enrages me and breaks my heart.

^*^*
'Oh' He smiled a little at her now, as if pleased by this explanation. 'Was that it? Damn! If you'd told me, Beverly, I never would have hit you. All girls are scared of spiders. Sam Hill! Why didn't you speak up?'
^*^*

Gah!! Die, screaming and on fire you pig-****er!!!

Okay, had to get that off my chest. Gah!

i think the worst part of his character is how reflective he is of quite a few real people

 

[Robert Gray]

I won't defend Al Marsh in any way for his failings, but I think he is a long way from the most despicable character in the story. He is abusive. He is abominable. He does, however, truly believe he is doing what is best for his family. One need only compare his actions and comments to those of Beverly's later husband to see a stark difference in both application and motivation. If we were to look at the spider example, consider this:

1. Al Marsh indicates he wouldn't have hit her if he knew it was spider she saw. This means his utilization of punishment has a standard, i.e. is Beverly being silly or not? Without proper reason to be screaming for him, he can only assume it is foolishness. His slap, however repugnant the behavior may be, had a typical parent intention behind it.

2. Beverly's husband punishes and strikes her for a combination of pleasure and control. It is always about him and his needs. He sees Beverly soley as a meal ticket, sex toy, and servant. He can only love her on those terms. While one could argue that he is only the natural progression of Al Marsh, I'm not so sure.

Both men are reprehensible and their actions unforgivable, but I think the husband is clearly the awful of the pair. I don't think I'm alone in that calculation either, because Beverly herself is torn on her father. She is not torn on her husband at all. There is no chance whatsoever that Beverly in later years (were he still alive) come to knock on Tom Rogan's door as she did her father's old place. Do you see what I mean?