When I first read Carrie, I was in high school. At that point, the horror in that novel (for me) came from both Chris' treatment of Carrie and Carrie's reaction to it. I vacillated between pitying Carrie and fearing her (her, not her powers). The supernatural aspects notwithstanding, SK's portrayal of high school social dynamics, and the relentless bullying Carrie suffered as a result of them, is disturbingly accurate. And, with more than a little guilt, I realized that I wouldn't have befriended Carrie. I'm certain I wouldn't have targeted or harassed her like some of the characters did, but I wouldn't have gone out of my way to comfort or protect her, either. In fact, I knew then (and still know now) that I would have done my best to avoid her completely. She was the embodiment of a lot of my adolescent female fears, a contagious disease, a form of social leprosy.
However, I re-read Carrie shortly after my daughter was born (after indulging in De Palma's Technicolor bloodbath adaptation) and found myself horrified on another level, and by a completely different aspect: Margaret White. Obviously Margaret's treatment of her daughter is abusive to a point that strains the imagination, and her insistence that all the abuse is for Carrie's own good (Margaret's in the business of saving eternal souls, after all) is revolting. After putting the book down and picking my daughter up, I was struck by just how much we shape our children.
Which brings me to my question,if it had not been for Margaret White, might Carrie White have turned out ok, despite her scary telekinesis?
However, I re-read Carrie shortly after my daughter was born (after indulging in De Palma's Technicolor bloodbath adaptation) and found myself horrified on another level, and by a completely different aspect: Margaret White. Obviously Margaret's treatment of her daughter is abusive to a point that strains the imagination, and her insistence that all the abuse is for Carrie's own good (Margaret's in the business of saving eternal souls, after all) is revolting. After putting the book down and picking my daughter up, I was struck by just how much we shape our children.
Which brings me to my question,if it had not been for Margaret White, might Carrie White have turned out ok, despite her scary telekinesis?