Masouda Basharat
4/29/2024
Stephen King’s “Strawberry Spring” is a short story that has captured readers’ attention with its chilling narrative and atmospheric storytelling, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the dark side of human nature. The story follows a narrator as he recounts a series of murders during a mysterious weather phenomenon known as “strawberry spring.” Crimson Production, a group of college students, brought this narrative to life on the screen in their award-winning short film adaptation. In this essay, we will explore the use of ethos, logos, and pathos in both the original story and its cinematic adaptation, as well as analyze the goals of Stephen King and the filmmakers.
The production company Crimson Productions has done a commendable job of capturing Stephen King’s intention of delving into the darker aspects of human nature and the unreliability of memory in their adaptation of “Strawberry Spring,” despite deviating from the original story. Their effective use of logos, ethos, and pathos is evidence of this.
Logos is a persuasive technique that employs logic and reasoning to convince the audience. Crimson Productions’ movie adaptation of Stephen King’s “Strawberry Spring” follows the logical structure of King’s story. The events in the movie unfold chronologically, leading the audience through the protagonist’s recollections of the murders and his realization of his involvement.
Similarly, King’s original short story presents a logical sequence of events that guides readers through the protagonist’s investigation of the murders and his eventual doubtful confession of guilt. The use of logic and reason, known as Logos, is evident in the narrative structure of “Strawberry Spring” and its cinematic adaptation. King constructs a logical sequence of events that leads readers through clues and revelations, gradually unraveling the mystery surrounding the murders.
Likewise, the filmmakers use cinematic techniques to convey the narrative visually, enhancing the audience’s understanding of the story. Although certain deviations from the source material, such as the use of fake blood and the setting of a college campus, may introduce elements that disrupt the cohesion of the narrative, the logical progression of events remains intact in the adaptation.
Ethos is the appeal to authority and credibility. In “Strawberry Spring,” Stephen King’s reputation as a master of horror fiction establishes him as a credible authority on the subject matter. His ability to create suspenseful narratives and evoke a sense of dread makes “Strawberry Spring” a compelling work of literature. Similarly, Crimson Productions, a group of young college students, demonstrate their credibility as filmmakers through their dedication to the project and their passion for storytelling. However, their lack of professional experience may have impacted certain aspects of the adaptation, such as the depiction of weather effects in the film; the fog was used to create an eerie atmosphere, which was taken from King’s story. However, due to the filmmakers’ limited resources and expertise, the execution may have needed to have been done professionally. Moreover, there needed to be more consistency, such as showing rain instead of fog at times, which could have detracted from the overall effectiveness of the adaptation.
In the section discussing ethos, it is mentioned that the inclusion of modern technologies like Xbox and iPhones in Crimson Productions’ movie adaptation may be an attempt to appeal to a contemporary audience. However, this may also lead to doubts about the authenticity of the adaptation and whether it genuinely stays faithful to Stephen King’s original vision. It’s important to consider whether these modern technologies enhance the overall viewing experience and whether they effectively serve the story’s thematic elements.
While the producer’s passion for storytelling is evident, some aspects of the adaptation may need to capture King’s original intention fully. However, their dedication to bringing the story to life on screen is commendable despite the limitations of their experience and resources. Stephen King’s reputation as a master of horror fiction lends credibility to his storytelling in “Strawberry Spring.” His ability to create suspenseful narratives and evoke a sense of dread establishes him as a credible authority on the subject matter.
Pathos, which appeals to the audience’s emotions and feelings, is a powerful rhetorical tool both Stephen King and the filmmakers use in their adaptation. In the story, King creates a sense of dread and unease through vivid descriptions and atmospheric imagery, tapping into readers’ primal fears. Likewise, the filmmakers use visual and auditory cues to evoke emotions, from suspense and fear to empathy and Sentimentality, drawing the audience into the story’s world. They successfully capture the emotional depth of King’s novel, portraying the protagonist’s descent into madness and the revelation of his guilt, which elicit a sense of horror and tragedy, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. Despite some creative liberties, the emotional impact of the adaptation remains true to the spirit of the original story.
Ethos, logos, and pathos are essential to persuasive rhetoric in analyzing literature and film adaptations. Stephen King’s “Strawberry Spring” and the short film directed by Carter Decurtiz and Morgan Gunderson employ these rhetorical strategies to immerse audiences in a suspenseful narrative and evoke a range of emotions.
Stephen King and the filmmakers aim to entertain and thrill audiences while exploring more profound themes. King’s story mediates the dark side of human nature, challenging readers to confront the complexities of memory and identity. The ambiguous nature of the protagonist’s guilt adds an element of psychological suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final reveal. Similarly, the filmmakers expand on these themes through their visual interpretation, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. However, some creative choices, such as using fake blood and the setting of a college campus, may deviate from King’s original intention and dilute the story’s impact.
Crimson Productions’ adaptation of Stephen King’s “Strawberry Spring” effectively captures the author’s aim of exploring the darker aspects of human nature and the unpredictability of memory. Despite some deviations from the original story, the producer’s use of ethos, logos, and pathos successfully conveys the essence of King’s narrative, leaving a lasting impression on audiences.
The use of images of girls with red color in an adaptation is aimed at triggering emotional responses from the audience without directly contributing to the logical or thematic elements of the piece. This could be seen as an appeal to emotion fallacy. It involves manipulating emotions to influence the audience’s opinion rather than presenting sound reasoning or evidence.
However, it should be noted that the fog in the story was not created professionally, as the producers were 16 and 17-year-old college students. At some points in the film, they were telling fog but showing rain. Additionally, the ending suggests that the protagonist was himself a victim of a weather event that took possession of him or that the story highlights men’s disrespect towards women and their irresponsibility for their actions towards them.
King’s work emphasizes that we can never truly know other people, even if we are close to them. He leaves it up to us to decide whether the main character is a murderer, although Crimson Productions implies that he is guilty by showing him in the last scene in the rain, killing the girl in her car. However, King keeps us guessing about the central character’s guilt.
The short movie also touches on Jack the Ripper. While “Strawberry Spring” does not directly reference Jack the Ripper, its thematic exploration of fear, uncertainty, and the nature of evil resonates with the infamous serial killer’s legacy. By tapping into the same primal fears and anxieties, Stephen King creates a chilling tale that pays homage to the enduring fascination with Jack the Ripper and his legacy of terror.
In conclusion, while Crimson Productions successfully captures the essence of Stephen King’s “Strawberry Spring” in their cinematic adaptation, certain aspects may detract from the film’s overall effectiveness. Despite their limited resources and professional experience, the filmmakers demonstrate a passion for storytelling and a commitment to honoring King’s legacy. However, deviations from the source material and inconsistencies in the adaptation may impact the audience’s engagement with the narrative. Nonetheless, the original story and its cinematic adaptation effectively utilize ethos, logos, and pathos to entertain and provoke thought, leaving a lasting impression on audiences.
Crimson Productions has adapted Stephen King’s “Strawberry Spring” into a cinematic experience that explores the darker aspects of human nature and memory. Through the skillful use of logos, ethos, and pathos, the production effectively captures King’s vision and creates a compelling narrative that goes beyond mere entertainment. For those who seek a film that challenges their thinking and emotions, “Strawberry Spring” is a must-see.
Work Cited
King, Stephen. “Strawberry Spring.” Night Shift, Doubleday, 1978.
Crimson Productions. Strawberry Spring. Directed by Carter Decurtiz and Morgan Gunderson, Crimson Productions, 20XX.
If you want to watch the short movie, here is the link!
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