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| Picture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Randallflagg7.jpg |
Results of fear in culture:
1. People in Vegas are very efficient. More so than in the Free Zone. They not only have the lights on, but they are preparing planes for combat.
2. Unhappiness. Though productive, the Dark Man's people are ruled by fear, and thus very unhappy. They do not build deep relationships. This is brilliantly revealed from Tom's point of view.
3. Unable to maintain lasting loyalty. Flagg, though he is able to draw people to himself, is unable to keep people from defecting. This bit of info is unveiled through Lloyd. Flagg does not inspire loyalty from those who know him best.
Note also Flagg's inability to control or lead The Trashcan man. Granted, perhaps now one could control ole Trashy, but Flagg doesn't even try. This is the opposite of Mother Abigail, who inspired loyalty, love and acted as a shepherd of the people. A moses type.
There are times the story starts to take turns that I am interested in, even though I know King is not going to follow them through. The bombers preparing to wipe out the Free Zone is cool stuff! Of course, the idea of an all out war between the two sides would have been an interesting direction. However, King moves the story much like the Biblical Apocalypse -- at the great battle of Armageddon, evil turns out to be inept in the face of God.
4. Means of control. Flagg uses raw fear to keep things well oiled an running smoothly. The most feared punishment is crucifixion. This method of controlling subjects was used by many ancient societies, most notably Rome.
In the end, a fear based people results in a dysfunctional society (just as on a micro-level this happens in a family which is built on fear instead of love). This is illustrated through the fate of Flagg's bride, Nadine. Closest to him, she is drawn to him, but does not love him.
So why is Flagg unable to build a functional society? Is it simply that he is a poor leader? I'm not sure. I think King is taking some shots at Communism and other Police State societies that gain power through fear.
A final thought: Those thinking about defecting tell Lloyd that they are headed to South America. I believe in the extended version, Flagg reappears on a beach. . . maybe -- South America ?
Flagg's little kingdom was fairly standard chaotic evil stuff, i.e. driven and unstable.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Flagg was building a society just to have the resources to destroy any other society, such as the Free Zone and similar groups which should arise anywhere in the world. It was a bit of order to get to a greater chaos.
I think Flagg reappears somewhere in Africa, based on the description of the people Flagg encounters. For that matter, I am not certain Flagg is still on the same world, or level of the tower.
One of the things that I dislike (a bit) about "The Stand" is that I wish more time was spent with Flagg and his followers in Vegas. As I've reread the novel, it's more and more seemed unbalanced as a result of not focusing on those characters a bit more.
ReplyDeleteThat's a mild complaint, though; and any complaint which is ultimately saying "I wish the book had been longer!" is really not much of a criticism.
YES!!! The stand should be longer! totally agree.
ReplyDeleteThat would make it: "The complete and unabridged updated revised and super-duper expanded edition."
--David
And I would happily read that edition. Probably more than once.
ReplyDelete