Genre
Memoir
Setting and Context
The book is mostly set in Maine in the United States
Narrator and Point of View
Through Stephen King's point of view
Tone and Mood
Solemn, Reflective, Practical, Triumphant, and Informative.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Because this is a non-fiction book, it doesn't really utilize a traditional protagonist-antagonist structure. However, the traumatic accident King went through is often portrayed in an antagonistic light.
Major Conflict
King's struggle to overcome his injury and start writing again (inner conflict), as well as his endeavor to teach people about the craft of writing (his purpose in writing the book).
Climax
Not applicable - this is a non-fiction book and doesn't have a narrative.
Foreshadowing
King foreshadows his return to being a prolific writer towards the end of the book.
Understatement
The profundity of this book, despite King's injuries, is understated throughout the entire book.
Allusions
Primarily to King's personal and family history, the geography of Maine, the English language, writing techniques, and rarely, religion and mythology.
Imagery
King utilizes rather intense and sometimes grizzly imagery to underscore just how bad his accident was.
Paradox
Prior to the publication of On Writing, King was exclusively known for his fiction. On Writing was thus paradoxical
Parallelism
King often parallels his book to "curriculum vitae" (school curriculum).
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The van which hit King is personified occasionally in the book.
