A Literary Analysis of The Onion Article Bangor Police Bring in Stephen King to Help Track Demonic Car that Killed Woman

Introduction

The article that is being analyzed is a mock press release from The Onion. The headline says it all: “Bangor Police Bring in Stephen King to Help Track Demonic Car That Killed Woman.” Indubitably, this is an allusion to his bestselling novel and movie “Christine” about a car possessed by supernatural forces (King, 1983).

A Literary Analysis of The Onion Article: Bangor Police Bring in Stephen King to Help Track Demonic Car that Killed Woman

The article begins with Bangor Police bringing in Stephen King to help track down a demonic car that killed a woman. Detectives “confirmed they are hoping King’s specialized insight will help them locate the bloodthirsty and allegedly homicidal vehicle.” The article uses anthropomorphism by describing the car as a “bloodthirsty and allegedly homicidal vehicle.” This reflects the satirical nature of the piece, as it elevates a fictional scenario to a seemingly real-life investigation.

The article also states that due to King’s knowledge of demonic cars, he was able to set the scene and determine what happened when the Bangor P.D. couldn’t. This satirical twist is a clever nod to the influence of fiction on reality, further blurring the lines between King’s literary universe and the real world.

Characterization and Allusions

In the third paragraph, The Onion depicts King with a “cane” and “hobbling.” King uses repetition by saying, “So you’ve got no means, no motive, and no opportunity...” This repetition adds a layer of humor to the portrayal of King as a detective figure. The police chief mentions that the “celebrated novelist and longtime Maine resident has assisted with a number of high-profile cases over the years, including one in which a telekinetic teenager destroyed a local high school gym and another in which a bloodsucking undead being and his elderly caretaker conspired to turn all the residents of a nearby town into vampires.” Clearly, the writer is referencing other Stephen King novels, “Salem’s Lot” and “Carrie” (King, 1975; King, 1974).

Personification and Literary Devices

The article comprises personification by stating the car has “…a taste for blood, it’s going to start seeking revenge on anyone it feels may have wronged it.” This anthropomorphic portrayal of the car adds to the comedic effect, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. The phrase “That means the clock’s ticking if we want to prevent another murder” is another literary device that King uses instead of directly saying hurry up before another murder takes place. This indirect expression adds urgency and drama to the narrative, enhancing the satirical tone.

The article ensures the reader recalls that King is an author, by stating “the award-winning writer,” “bestselling author,” and “the author.” This repeated emphasis on King’s literary status humorously contrasts with his fictional role as a crime-solving expert in the article.

Conclusion

In summation, through the use of satirical rhetorical strategies, The Onion created an overall witty and humorous article. Despite the fact that King is just an author and not a certified crime scene technician, the Bangor Police still used the author to solve a crime similar to the plot of one of his novels. This clever intertwining of fiction and reality underscores the article’s comedic brilliance.

References

• King, S. (1974). Carrie. Doubleday.
• King, S. (1975). Salem's Lot. Doubleday.
• King, S. (1983). Christine. Viking Press.