In 'the stephen king story', the theme of human nature often plays a big part. King likes to explore how people react under extreme pressure, whether they show courage or succumb to their darker sides. Also, small - town life is sometimes a theme. Many of his stories are set in small towns, showing the secrets and the unique dynamics that exist there.
One of the main themes is the power of the unknown. The room 1408 represents this vast, unknowable entity that terrifies the protagonist. Another theme is the fragility of sanity. As the character experiences the horrors in the room, his mental state deteriorates. Also, there's a sense of isolation as he is trapped in that one room with no real escape from the terrors.
One main theme could be survival. When a character is in a dangerous situation like on a ledge, survival instincts kick in.
In 'Mr. Mercedes', one main theme is the battle between good and evil. The detective represents the good trying to stop the evil of the serial killer. Another theme could be obsession, as the killer is obsessed with his 'works' and the detective is obsessed with catching him.
One of the main themes is the battle between good and evil. In 'The Stand', the survivors of a devastating plague are divided into two groups, one led by a force of good and the other by a malevolent being. Another theme is the concept of community. The characters come together to form new societies, showing how people interact and depend on each other in extreme circumstances. Also, there is the theme of fate and free will. The characters' choices throughout the story seem to be influenced by some greater force, yet they also have their own free will to make decisions that can change the course of events.
In 'The Mangler', a significant theme is the fear of the industrial world. The large, imposing machine represents the faceless and often dangerous nature of industrial machinery. Another theme is the futility of human resistance. The characters try to fight against the mangler, but their efforts seem in vain, highlighting the overwhelming power of the unknown force within the machine. There is also the theme of the supernatural invading the mundane. A normal laundry setting is turned into a place of horror by the presence of the mangler with its seemingly otherworldly capabilities.
The themes in 'Carrie' include isolation. Carrie is an outcast, and this sense of being alone and different is a big part of the story. There's also the theme of the mother - daughter relationship. Her mother's extreme religious views and controlling nature play a significant role. And power corrupts is also a theme as Carrie's newfound power goes out of control.
One of the main themes is the power of the supernatural. The room's ability to make a skeptic like Mike Enslin believe in the paranormal. Another theme is the fragility of sanity. As Mike endures the terrors of the room, his mental state deteriorates.
One main theme is isolation. The Overlook Hotel is cut off from the outside world, and this isolation affects the characters, especially Jack, and drives him towards madness. Another theme is the supernatural. The presence of ghosts and the hotel's evil influence on the family shows this. Family is also a theme as we see the relationships between Jack, Wendy, and Danny being tested under extreme circumstances.
One of the main themes is fear of the unknown. The mist hides all kinds of terrors that the characters can't see. Another theme is human nature under pressure. We see how people behave differently, some heroically and some cowardly.
One of the main themes is survival. The characters in 'The Raft' are in a life - threatening situation on the raft in the middle of the water, and they have to fight to stay alive against the unknown threat in the water. Another theme could be fear of the unknown. They don't really know what the black, blob - like thing in the water is, and this lack of knowledge creates a sense of overwhelming fear.