31 pages • 1 hour read
Stephen KingThe Ledge
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1976A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Authorial Context: Stephen King
Stephen King, often hailed as the “Master of Horror,” has established an enduring legacy in the world of literature, with a vast body of work that includes over 60 novels and 200 short stories. Throughout his career, King has crafted tales that dive deep into the human psyche, often intertwining everyday life with the uncanny and terrifying. A signature element of King’s storytelling lies in his ability to tap into the dark recesses of the mind, examining how it reacts when confronted with harrowing and often inexplicable situations.
King’s personal life and experiences have significantly influenced his tales. He was born in Portland, Maine, in 1947, which frequently features in his narratives. In his memoir, “On Writing,” King candidly discusses various inspirations behind his stories. He openly admits to some of his own phobias, providing a window into the sources of the visceral emotions his characters often experience. “The Ledge” showcases King’s unique capability to draw horror not from fantastical monsters or ghosts but from everyday situations and fears. Notably, King has confessed to having acrophobia, a morbid fear of heights. This personal dread becomes evident in “The Ledge,” where the story’s tension doesn’t emanate from a supernatural presence but rather from a raw, universally recognizable fear. The protagonist’s heart-stopping ordeal on the ledge mirrors the terror that anyone with a fear of heights would feel, making the story all the more terrifying (King, Stephen. “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft”). Such connections between the author’s personal experiences and his fictional worlds serve up King’s unparalleled prowess in weaving tales that resonate deeply with readers.
Philosophical Context: Existential Philosophy
“The Ledge” is not just a tale of suspense and horror; it delves into deeper philosophical questions regarding the human condition, life’s unpredictability, and the nature of fear itself. The story can be viewed through the lens of existential philosophy, which “emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will” (“Existentialism.” Oxford Reference).
Stan Norris’s journey on the ledge encapsulates the existentialist idea of “existence preceding essence.” Before his harrowing challenge, he’s defined by external factors: his affair with Cressner’s wife, his career, and his past choices. However, when he’s out on the ledge, he confronts his existence in its rawest form. Every step he takes is a choice, and each choice reaffirms his existence and autonomy, even in the face of immense external pressures.
This confrontation with the abyss, both literally as he looks down from the building and metaphorically as he confronts the possibility of non-existence or death, is reminiscent of Friedrich Nietzsche’s idea of the “abyss” and Jean-Paul Sartre’s concept of “nausea.” For existentialists, such confrontations force individuals to face the inherent meaninglessness of life and compel them to create their own meaning. In this light, Stan’s journey around the building can be seen as a microcosm of the human experience, a battle to find meaning and agency in a seemingly indifferent or even hostile world.
The story delves into the philosophical discourse on fear. Fear, as explored by philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard, is not just an emotion but a state of being. In “The Ledge,” fear becomes a lens through which the protagonist understands himself, his limitations, and his potential. By confronting and, to some extent, overcoming his fear, Stan engages in an act of self-affirmation, a declaration of his existence and agency.
While “The Ledge” is a compelling tale of suspense on the surface, it can be read as a profound exploration of existential themes, delving into questions about human agency, the nature of existence, and the philosophical underpinnings of fear.
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