If It Bleeds

“Mr. Harrigan’s Phone” functions as a critique of contemporary society’s obsession with smartphones and the Internet. What does the novella suggest makes this obsession different from society’s past engagements with television, radio, and even literature?

In “The Life of Chuck,” Chuck Krantz discovers what it means to contain multitudes. How does he integrate the disparate parts of his life, or how does he accept that these separate experiences cannot be reconciled?

“If It Bleeds” features an antagonist who reflects the human obsession with disaster and tragedy back to the reader. In what ways is Chet Ondowsky’s relationship with his viewership mutual? How can he be said to indulge his viewers’ needs in a way that underlines Stephen King’s critique of their behavior?

“Rat” draws heavily from the school of thought that suggests that the practice of art should harness instinct over intellect. Following King’s critique of The Dangers of Impulsiveness and Obsession, what are the risks of prioritizing instinct over intellect in this way? Discuss the reasons for your answer.

In “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone,” Ms. Hargensen observes that children often think of themselves as the center of the universe. In “The Life of Chuck,” Ms. Richards suggests that children possess rich lives that only have the potential to grow. How would you reconcile these two contrasting ideas?

Holly Gibney’s favorite show is John Law, a reality court series that offers her a sense of easy justice and resolution with each new episode. How does this dynamic speak to the wider genre of reality television? Identify other subgenres, along with their most popular examples, and discuss what they offer to each of their respective audiences.

Though Chuck is comatose during his first appearance in “The Life of Chuck,” King manages to hint at his feelings in the moment and draw the reader’s sympathies to him. Discuss some of these strategies by pointing to specific lines in the novella.

King starts from the end in “The Life of Chuck.” How does it affect the reader’s experience to know where the story will end? How does this unconventional structure parallel Chuck’s own experience of his life?

In “Rat,” Drew claims that what he really wants is to finish writing a novel. The only obstacle to his writing, however, is his own judgment over the quality of his work. How does the rat offer him relief from this judgment? In choosing to escape the responsibility of judging his work, does he rob himself of the ability to enjoy the work?