Randall Flagg / Grand Old Flag ... ?

[The Walkin Dudemar]

Given SK's political stance, I am wondering if the name of Randall Flagg is not a pun based on the famous patriotic song "You're a Grand Old Flag". I postulate that King was making a secret dig at American patriotic attitudes, here. Randall Flagg, Grand Old Flag. If you say them both real quick, they become indistinguishable.

 

[Moderator]

Given SK's political stance, I am wondering if the name of Randall Flagg is not a pun based on the famous patriotic song "You're a Grand Old Flag". I postulate that King was making a secret dig at American patriotic attitudes, here. Randall Flagg, Grand Old Flag. If you say them both real quick, they become indistinguishable.

Had nothing to do with it. There is a company in Bangor named R.M. Flagg which is where he got the inspiration for the name.

 

[mal]

Now I have to ask if Randall Flagg has a middle name that starts with 'M'. Does he?

 

[Moderator]

Now I have to ask if Randall Flagg has a middle name that starts with 'M'. Does he?

 

[mal]

Thanks Ms. Mod. In my head, from now on it's going to be 'mal'.

 

[Moderator]

Thanks Ms. Mod. In my head, from now on it's going to be 'mal'.

 

[Wayoftheredpanda]

I never considered it but now I can't get it out of my head

 

[Wayoftheredpanda]

Had nothing to do with it. There is a company in Bangor named R.M. Flagg which is where he got the inspiration for the name.

Wow, such a frightening character as Flagg inspired by a company that sells food service equipment? That's great, maybe when he's not forming an army of captain trips survivors in LA or causing chaos in some other realm of the SK multiverse he sells pots and pans on the side.

 

[Moderator]

Wow, such a frightening character as Flagg inspired by a company that sells food service equipment? That's great, maybe when he's not forming an army of captain trips survivors in LA or causing chaos in some other realm of the SK multiverse he sells pots and pans on the side.

The character wasn't inspired by it, just the name.

 

[Wayoftheredpanda]

The character wasn't inspired by it, just the name.

Well that's just what I meant, obviously Randall's not really the kind of guy that sells pots and pans

 

[GNTLGNT]

...I guess I just don't delve deep enough into the dozens of hidden meanings that Steve has his basement minions pound out....

 

[The Walkin Dudemar]

I also think King was trying to draw parallels between 60s and 70s activists' popular conceptions of Democrats (Mother Abigail and the Boulder faction) vs. Republicans (Randall Flagg and Las Vegas faction.)

 

[Anduan Pirate Princess]

Thanks Ms. Mod. In my head, from now on it's going to be 'mal'.

That is undoubtedly it! It's canon now. Randall Mal Flagg. Love it. A name that inspires just the right mixture of cuteness and terror.