Elevation: A Novel

Chapter 1 establishes several of the novel’s conflicts. The first is an internal struggle between Scott and the medical mystery of his weight loss. This condition prompts fear and anxiety over an unknown future, which in later chapters will be explored as The Inevitability and Transcendence of Death. The novel’s other key clash occurs when the conservatism and bigotry of Castle Rock is directed against Deirdre and Missy, and indirectly, their restaurant. Deirdre’s rudeness toward Scott when confronted about her dogs pooping on his lawn is a response to her experiences of prejudice against relationships between people of the same sex, and especially marriage—she now expects hostility and judgment from everyone. For Deirdre, the best defense is a good offense, so she acts aggressively to ward off discrimination before it can hurt her.

Chapter 1 reveals little about the cause of Scott’s weight loss. However, King’s word choice points to its importance as a metaphor; often, Scott’s newfound sense of dignity and moral clarity are characterized as buoyancy: Weightlessness as Liberation From Human Suffering. Doctor Bob’s description of “some kind of weight repelling force-field” (27) is at first a literal explanation for Scott weighing the same regardless of the objects he’s holding. However, it’s gradually revealed that other things are being repelled too; frustration, fear, anger, and fatigue. For example, when Bull Neck threatens to fight him outside the café, Scott feels “light on his feet, more than ready. Not angry; happy. Optimistic” (38). This description of cheerfulness in the midst of a stressful situation—cheerfulness that is characterized as feeling “light”—shows that the weight Scott is losing is the burden of useless social expectations, in this case, the idea that ignoring biased comments is safer than standing up for his neighbors. With his lessening weight, Scott is less affected by sources of distress than he—or anyone else—would normally be.

The setting of Castle Rock, Maine, is important to shaping and understanding the conflict between Deirdre and society. Its influence is revealed with subtlety and subtext at first: “Castle Rock was a small town, and word got around” (15). The line evokes images of gossip and a lack of privacy, and connotes a cultural atmosphere that embraces reactionary politics, fears change, and lacks tolerance. At the end of the chapter, Book Nook owner Mike Badalamente elaborates on the small town’s culture as it relates to prejudice against those on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. He calls its citizens “[c]onservative Republican[s]” and adds that the county “went for Trump three-to-one in ’16” (43). This reference to Donald Trump reflects a common assessment of the former president as holding bigoted views, and attributing similar attitudes to his supporters. King’s description of Castle Rock shows how setting influences culture, politics, and values, and allows readers to see how hatred can fester—but also be overcome—in a small town.

Through the third-person limited narration, King zooms in on Scott’s inner life while portraying his other main characters in broader strokes. This narrow focus results in a concise work almost short enough to be considered a novella. King’s writing style is characterized by accessibility and humor. For instance, when Scott has to disrobe for the doctor, he quips, “I usually like a little bump-and-grind music when I strip” (10)—a jokey way to dispel the awkwardness of getting naked in front of his friend. King also uses authentic language to acknowledge the reality of hate. Bull Neck’s vulgar, graphic, and offensive remarks about lesbian sexuality—“that crack-snackin’ restaurant” (34), and about Scott defending Deirdre’s dignity—“Take it home and jerk off over it, why don’t you? Short of rape, it’s the closest you’ll ever get to fucking her” (38)—characterize him as a boorish, despicable bigot much faster than a narrator’s description would. King doesn’t rely on euphemisms or gloss over the use of hateful language. Acknowledging this reality allows his characters to demonstrate how people can stand against it.