Black House
Chapter 18
by Straub, Stephen King and PeterThe chapter opens with widespread media coverage of the chaotic events outside the French Landing police station, particularly the footage of Officer Arnold Hrabowski striking reporter Wendell Green with a flashlight. This incident captivates viewers across Wisconsin, especially in French Landing and nearby towns. Jack Sawyer watches the news on a portable TV, reflecting on the fallout: he hopes Hrabowski’s suspension won’t be revoked and that Green will face consequences, though he doubts either outcome. Jack also dwells on Andy Railsback’s account of a suspicious old man at the Nelson Hotel, potentially linked to the Fisherman case, and considers Maxton’s Elder Care as a possible hideout for the suspect.
Wendell Green, nursing a head injury, watches the same footage in his hotel room, seething with anger and humiliation. Despite his self-justification—claiming his aggressive reporting is necessary—he fears professional repercussions. Green plans to appease his editor by emphasizing his exclusive coverage of the Fisherman case and then pursue a lead from Fred Marshall, a Goltz’s salesman. Meanwhile, Officer Hrabowski, now a hero to his wife, contemplates appealing his suspension, while Police Chief Dale Gilbertson admires Hrabowski’s decisive action and considers reinstating him.
The narrative shifts to Wanda Kinderling, a bitter and isolated woman who blames Jack Sawyer for her husband Thorny’s wrongful imprisonment. She listens to the radio, having sacrificed cable TV for alcohol, and seethes with hatred for Sawyer and the media. Wanda believes the Fisherman’s crimes are retribution against the community she despises, and she fantasizes about further violence. Her venomous thoughts reveal her deep resentment and conspiracy theories, including the idea that Sawyer framed Thorny for crimes he couldn’t have committed.
The chapter concludes with brief mentions of other characters: Gorg, who remains detached in Faraway, and Charles Burnside, who dreams ominously at Maxton’s. These glimpses hint at broader supernatural and malevolent forces at play, tying into the overarching mystery of the Fisherman. The chapter weaves together media frenzy, personal vendettas, and dark undercurrents, setting the stage for further conflict and investigation in French Landing.
FAQs
1. How does the media coverage of the riot impact the characters in the chapter, and what does this reveal about their personalities?
Answer:
The media coverage of the riot affects each character differently, highlighting their distinct personalities and priorities. Jack Sawyer watches the footage analytically, pondering multiple issues like Dale Gilbertson’s potential reinstatement of Arnold Hrabowski and Wendell Green’s future antics. Wendell Green, consumed by anger and humiliation, rationalizes his behavior and plots his next move to salvage his reputation. Arnold Hrabowski basks in newfound heroism, encouraged by his wife to return to work. Dale Gilbertson, amused by Hrabowski’s actions, considers reinstating him. Wanda Kinderling, bitter and isolated, revels in the chaos, blaming Jack Sawyer for her misfortunes. These reactions underscore their individual motivations—Jack’s strategic thinking, Wendell’s ego, Arnold’s need for validation, Dale’s leniency, and Wanda’s resentment.2. What clues does Jack Sawyer piece together about the Fisherman’s identity, and how does this advance the plot?
Answer:
Jack Sawyer connects Andy Railsback’s description of an old man in a blue robe and a bumblebee-striped slipper to the Fisherman, speculating that “Chummy” Burnside might be hiding at Maxton’s Elder Care Facility. This theory gains traction because Burnside could have planted the photographs in George Potter’s room, making Maxton’s an ideal hideout. This deduction marks a significant plot development, as it provides a tangible lead in the Fisherman case. Jack’s analytical approach contrasts with others’ emotional reactions, positioning him as a key figure in unraveling the mystery. The focus on Burnside shifts the investigation toward a specific suspect, raising stakes for future chapters.3. How does Wendell Green’s self-perception contrast with reality, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Wendell Green views himself as a legendary journalist and “unquestioned excellence,” believing his aggressive coverage of the Fisherman case justifies his behavior. However, reality paints him as a self-aggrandizing figure who crosses professional boundaries. His humiliation on national TV and his scheming to manipulate his editor and sources expose his delusions of grandeur. This contrast highlights his narcissism and lack of self-awareness. Wendell’s belief that he is indispensable (“the gold standard”) clashes with his unethical actions, such as inserting himself into the story. His character serves as a critique of sensationalist media figures who prioritize fame over integrity.4. How does Wanda Kinderling’s bitterness shape her perspective on the Fisherman case, and what thematic role does she play?
Answer:
Wanda Kinderling’s bitterness stems from her belief that Jack Sawyer framed her husband, Thorny, for crimes he didn’t commit. This leads her to root for the Fisherman as a form of retribution against the community she blames for her suffering. Her wish for more child murders and parental deaths reflects her deep-seated rage and moral decay. Thematically, Wanda represents the destructive power of unchecked resentment and the human capacity for vindictiveness. Her isolation and alcoholism amplify her nihilistic worldview, contrasting with other characters’ attempts to uphold justice or redeem themselves. She embodies the novel’s darker themes of vengeance and societal breakdown.5. How does the chapter use multiple perspectives to create tension and foreshadow future events?
Answer:
The chapter shifts between characters’ reactions to the riot footage, building tension through their conflicting agendas. Jack’s focus on the Fisherman’s identity hints at an impending confrontation, while Wendell’s scheming suggests he may interfere with the investigation. Arnold Hrabowski’s potential reinstatement introduces uncertainty about the police force’s stability. Wanda’s malice and Burnside’s mention in dreams foreshadow escalating violence. By weaving these perspectives, the chapter creates a sense of converging paths and impending conflict. The juxtaposition of characters like Jack (rational) and Wanda (irrational) heightens suspense, as their opposing forces will likely collide in future events.
Quotes
1. “The Fisherman is retribution—that’s what Wanda thinks. Let him kill a hundred brats, let him kill a thousand, and after that he can start in on their parents.”
This quote reveals Wanda Kinderling’s twisted justification for the Fisherman’s crimes, showing how grief and bitterness have warped her perspective into celebrating violence as revenge against the community she blames for her husband’s downfall.
2. “Wendell Green is a legend around here, a star, the closest thing to a giant of journalism ever to come out of western Wisconsin… And if the name Wendell Green is like the gold standard now, just wait until he rides the Fisherman’s blood-spattered shoulders all the way to a Pulitzer Prize.”
This internal monologue exposes Wendell Green’s narcissism and unethical ambition, demonstrating how he views the Fisherman case primarily as a vehicle for personal glory rather than a human tragedy.
3. “Good reporters make waves; nobody admits it, but that’s the deal, that’s the fine print nobody reads until it’s too late.”
Wendell Green’s self-justification for his unethical behavior encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of media sensationalism and the blurred lines between reporting and exploitation in high-profile cases.
4. “Jack Sawyer ruined her life, and Wanda is not about to forgive or forget… She hopes they never catch the Fisherman, because the Fisherman is exactly what they deserve, those dirty bastards.”
This passage powerfully illustrates how Wanda Kinderling’s grief has metastasized into full-blown misanthropy, wishing violence upon the entire community as she conflates her personal vendetta with cosmic justice.
5. “That man trapped her husband. He set him up… So why couldn’t he have killed those sluts, those whores, and blamed it all on Thorny?”
Wanda’s conspiracy theory about Jack Sawyer reveals the dangerous extremes of denial and projection, showing how she reconstructs reality to preserve her husband’s innocence in her mind at any cost.