Lecture Notes: 'Gray Matter' by Stephen King

Introduction

• Presenter: Bedtime Scaries
• Story: 'Gray Matter' by Stephen King
• Setting: A stormy day at Henry's Night Owl store, the only store open 24/7 on this side of Bangor.

Characters

• Henry Parmley: Store owner, runs Henry's Night Owl
• Narrator: An elderly man, often visits Henry's store
• Bill Pelham, Birdie Connors, Carl Littlefield: Regulars at the store
• Richie Grenadine: A man who lives with his son; unemployed, and drinks heavily
• Timmy Grenadine: Richie’s son
• Blind Eddie: An elderly man, semi-regular customer

Plot Summary

Setting the Scene

• A Norther storm hits, gathering a group at Henry's store
• Timmy Grenadine enters, visibly distressed, asking for help with his father, Richie

Background on Richie

• Richie has been off work from the sawmill, gaining weight and drinking excessively
• Recently, he hasn't been seen for months
• Henry decides to go with Timmy to their apartment and asks Birdie and the narrator to join
• Henry shows money covered in grey slime, hinting at something sinister

Timmy's Story

• Richie consumed a bad can of beer in October
• Richie started to change, staying inside, closing curtains, and smelling rotten
• Over time, Richie began transforming, his body turning grey and slimy
• Timmy witnessed Richie’s hand turning into a grey lump
• Richie threatened Timmy not to call a doctor

Seeking Help

• Richie’s condition worsened, started heating beer on stove
• Timmy found Richie consuming dead cats and leaving a slime trail
• Richie demanded more beer, Timmy sought Henry’s help

Investigation

• Henry, Birdie, and the narrator head to Richie’s apartment
• Smell of decay worsens as they approach the apartment
• See grey slime in the hallway
• Henry talks to Richie through the door, Richie demands beer

Confrontation

• Richie’s voice is unrecognizable, threatening
• Door bursts open, revealing Richie’s monstrous transformation
• Richie is now a huge grey jelly-like creature, dividing into two
• Henry fires three shots
• Birdie and narrator flee in terror

Reflection

• Birdie and the narrator return to the store, deeply shaken
• They wait, hoping Henry will return
• Narrator contemplates the multiplication of the monstrous creatures

Themes

• Transformation: Richie’s physical transformation represents grotesque bodily horror
• Isolation: Richie’s isolation and descent into monstrosity highlight human isolation
• Fear: The story builds tension and fear through gradual revelation of Richie’s condition

Conclusion

• The story ends with a sense of foreboding as Birdie and the narrator hope for Henry’s return
• Represents the unknown and inexplicable horrors in the world