Genre
Horror
Setting and Context
Derry, Maine: 1957-1958 and 1984-1985
Narrator and Point of View
Told from a third-person point of view
Tone and Mood
Solemn, Chaotic, Violent, Paranormal, Supernatural, Tense, and Scary
Protagonist and Antagonist
The Losers (Protagonists) vs. Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Antagonist)
Major Conflict
The Losers' struggle to vanquish Pennywise
Climax
When the Losers first venture into the sewers to kill Pennywise
Foreshadowing
The line "We all float down here" foreshadows the end of the novel in which the Losers fight - and ultimately vanquish - Pennywise.
Understatement
The strangeness of the Losers' actions in the sewer (i.e. the orgy) is understated in the novel.
Allusions
"Three Billy Goats Gruff," author Marianne Moore, the history of the construction of the sewer system in Bangor, Maine, the history of the United States in general, geography, and the Bible.
Imagery
Georgie's paper boat is symbolic of a child's innocence and naivete. As the Losers venture deeper into the dark and violent world of Pennywise, such symbols become less and less prevalent.
Paradox
Bowers isn't all that intelligent, yet Pennywise and his cronies chose him to terrorize the Losers.
Parallelism
The story of many of the members of the Losers is paralleled in the novel.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The Losers describes all of its members.
Personification
King often personifies the weather (i.e. "the wind whistled.")
