Kamden Shavluk
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Stories (10/0)
Critique of Stephen King's Elevation
Elevation By: Stephen King Hardcover Fictional Novel Rating: 3 Stars Elevation is a short novel, based around Scott Carey and his unfamiliar medical phenomenon. As he tries to navigate through the recent spontaneous weight loss, he is in a feuding battle with his neighbors over their dog’s business in his yard. What he doesn't realize is that they are having their own struggles after recently opening a restaurant and also having a differing lifestyle that the community does not approve of. With Scott’s new found confidence he pushes himself to do things that he would have never imagined he could do before, making him feel elevated mentally and physically.
By Kamden Shavluk9 months ago in Poets
The Impact and Resiliency of Nick Andros
When the planet is hit by a virus that wipes out 99% of the population, how does a deaf and mute man end up on top? Nick Andros, from the novel The Stand by Stephen King, shows that, despite his disabilities, he can still make an impact and have many qualities of resiliency. Nick starts to talk about his early life: when he was then transferred to an orphanage, he explained the “thin boys made fun of his silence… and if none of the staff happened to be near, they would punch him out. Why? No reason.” (King 151) This is an impactful and crucial time from his past, because after writing this he has another experience where he is made fun of and later beat up: Ray Booth comes back to the prison that Nick is working at to beat him up again. However, this time Nick comes out on top. This contrast from the story of his past, shows how he has grown and overcome his past. Not only does he do this throughout the story, he also inspires and impacts many people. The main person he affects like this is Tom Cullen. When Nick initially meets Tom he thinks, “I can’t talk and he can't read. For a moment [Nick] was utterly nonplussed.” (King 437) Despite him believing at first that they couldn't develop much of a relationship, much later in the book it is seen that Nick has such an impact on Tom through them knowing each other. It is shown how much Tom actually cared about him when Stu Redman breaks the news that Nick had died while he was gone; Tom then: “lowered his head… Stu saw his tears fall into his lap. They fell in a gentle silver rain… ‘He was my main man Stu–’... ‘Yes he was, M-O-O-N, that spells my main man. I miss him awful. But I’m going to see him in heaven. Tom Cullen will see him there.’” (King 1232) Everyone knew how much Nick meant to Tom, and the emotion shown in this passage from both sides can show that thoroughly. In short, without disregarding and ignoring his disabilities, Nick overcomes them to grow and make deep and meaningful connections with people.
By Kamden Shavluk9 months ago in Poets
Hey, Jude Dive In Deeper
When comparing literature to everyday media, you see a large difference in what is often shown as the truth. Stephen King explains this concept best when he says, "Fiction is the truth inside the lie." By saying this, he shows perfectly that fictional work is presented as just untrue stories. However, they explore and show the real problems that people are facing. Whereas everyday media can be seen as showing the truth of people's lives while constantly struggling behind the mask of having to be authentic. Another thing to look at in regards to this thought is how different types of media present childhood. When looking at different movies or social media influencers, it is often shown as the best time in a person’s life. Represented as only being filled with playing with friends and having no worries. On the contrary, Stephen King’s It can show it as a time where you are trying to figure out the world while navigating through fears and different relationships. While it is seen as a lot darker of a thought, I think of it as a lot more of a sincere way to depict such a formative time in a person’s life. Overall, showing the truth behind things often covered up can help us learn so much more about the world around us than it can when you cover it up.
By Kamden Shavluk9 months ago in 01
Robin Lehner's Story
Robin Lehner: Robin Lehner was the goalie for the New York Islanders. He struggled with addiction and bipolar disorder. When he first realized he was not in a good place mentally he called his goalie coach and said that he did not know if he could play in the upcoming game. His goalie coach told him that they should speak in person. When Lehner arrived at the rink the next morning to warm up he said he was, “Good to go” although he was in fact not good to go. He obviously felt that he was letting his team down if he did not play and played anyways. He began to play in that game and experienced a lot of anxiety. He could barely see and felt pressure in his chest. Once the second period was over he went straight to his trainers office and couldn't even get his gear off before he ultimately broke down and had an anxiety attack. He could not go back on the ice. He went home instead of the hospital to get checked out because of the vast amount of stigma he had seen from the press and social media. He drank large amounts of alcohol and proceeded to say to his wife, “I have to go away.”
By Kamden Shavluk9 months ago in Men
Letter to the Chief Elder
Dear Chief Elder: My name is Kamden #13, I am very thankful to you for considering my letter and going over it. I do acknowledge that you are a very busy Elder. Though I would like for you to try and recall the previous ceremony of 12. That beautiful ceremony would be my motive for writing to you, I was chosen to be the new landscape worker for the community. I am deeply apologetic to inform you that I would prefer to appeal this selection.
By Kamden Shavluk9 months ago in Fiction
Connections Between Stephen King’s Childhood and It
In another one of Stephen King’s novels titled On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft he talks about many different childhood experiences. In one of these experiences he says: “There was a sharp smell of alcohol. A clank as the ear doctor opened his sterilizer. I saw the needle in his hand—it looked as long as the ruler in my school pencil-box—and tensed. The ear doctor smiled reassuringly and spoke the lie for which doctors should be immediately jailed: “Relax, Stevie, this won’t hurt.” I believed him.” This quote connects directly to what Eddie Kaspbrak thinks in Mr. Keene’s back office. Mr. Keene says, “Loosen up, Eddie. I’m not going to bite you, or hurt you.” Immediately Eddie thinks to himself, “Oh I’ve heard that before. It was about what the doctor said when he opened his sterilizer and the sharp frightening smell of alcohol drifted out stinging his nostrils. Stephen King connected these two books with personal experiences, making it so that the characters have a personal effect on readers.
By Kamden Shavluk9 months ago in BookClub
Possible Extension to the End of Lois Lowry's The Giver
My eyes felt frozen shut as I tried to blink. I felt a tingling sensation in my left hand. I tried my hardest to open my eyes but as soon as they opened water fell into them. As I tried to lift my left arm to wipe the water off, It wouldn’t move. I used my right arm and opened my eyes to see snow fall all around me. I felt something heavy on my chest and realized it was Gabriel. I quietly said, “Gabe?”
By Kamden Shavluk12 months ago in Fiction