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What is the Significance of the Deadlights in It

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r/stephenking • 1
Is there just one source of Deadlights or are there more?
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The Significance of the Deadlights in "It"

The Nature of the Deadlights

The Deadlights are a mysterious and terrifying element within Stephen King's universe, particularly associated with the creature known as It. They are described as an eternal, crawling, hairy, orange light that exists in the macroverse, a realm beyond human comprehension [1:1]. In "It," the Deadlights are considered to be the true form of the creature, with any physical manifestation on Earth being merely a glamor or disguise [2:4]. This suggests that the Deadlights are a fundamental aspect of It's existence, representing its pure essence.

Role in the Macroverse

The Deadlights are not unique to It alone but are part of a broader cosmic structure within King's works. They originate from the Prim, a place related to other monstrous entities like the Crimson King [2:2]. The presence of Deadlights in other stories, such as "Insomnia" and "Later," indicates that they can be used by various powerful beings across King's universe [2:1], [2:5]. This implies that the Deadlights are a source of power that multiple entities can draw upon, linking them to the greater cosmology of King's fiction.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The Deadlights symbolize the incomprehensible and malevolent nature of cosmic horror. They are often compared to concepts from Lovecraft's work, where alien entities exist beyond human understanding [4:6]. In "It," the Deadlights are a representation of fear and madness, capable of driving those who gaze upon them insane [2:9]. The recurring motif of three orange pompoms in various forms taken by It is theorized to represent the Deadlights, suggesting a limitation on how much It can deviate from its true form [5:1].

Presence Across Different Works

While primarily associated with "It," the Deadlights appear in several other works by Stephen King, including "Insomnia," "1408," and "Later" [1:3], [1:6], [2:10]. Their appearances in these stories suggest that they are a recurring element within King's interconnected universe, serving as a link between different narratives and characters. This interconnectedness adds depth to the lore and expands the scope of the threat posed by the Deadlights beyond a single story.

Visual Representation in Adaptations

In film adaptations, the portrayal of the Deadlights varies, sometimes taking creative liberties for visual effect. For instance, in "It Chapter Two," the Deadlights change color during the final battle, which may be more of a cinematic choice than a narrative one [3:1], [3:3]. These changes highlight the challenges of translating abstract and cosmic horror elements from literature to screen while maintaining their intended impact.

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Source Threads

POST SUMMARY • [1]

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The deadlights

Posted by madjestervu · in r/stephenking · 3 years ago
3 upvotes on reddit
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ORIGINAL POST

Where all do the deadlights pop up outside of IT, Insomnia and 1408? And how exactly does it work? Are the deadlights responsible for the creation of monsters/evil or is it simply energy that evil can manipulate?

7 replies
friedskillet · 3 years ago

Wait wait wait. The deadlights are in 1408?

1 upvotes on reddit
madjestervu · OP · 3 years ago

I just read the story and yes. They don't use the word deadlights, but there's an orange-yellow light described a couple times, saw by both Mark Enslin and the man that saves him. The one who saved him was drawn to him from the hallway. He said for some reason he felt he wanted to be there in the blinding light, to see what's behind it. Mark describes multiple orange-yellow things while in the room, like the color in a painting for example, which eventually reveals itself to be the deadlights.

1 upvotes on reddit
[deleted] · 3 years ago

The Deadlights are an eternal crawling, hairy, orange light in the macroverse. We humans can't comprehend what it truly is (like the two inspirations for the Deadlights, "The Color Out Of Space" and "The Man With The X-Ray Eyes").

The Deadlights thrive on the taste of imagination, which is It's meat. And fear is the salt that makes imagination even tastier. So The Deadlights sent a manifestation to Itself to Earth. Maybe other wolds or versions of Earth as well (see The Tommyknockers, where It survived behind 1985 and maybe successfully killed The Losers' Club).

These manifestations seek victims, and cast the minds of It's victims into The Deadlights. Here, they float for all eternity while going insane with fear. And while The Deadlights feed.

1 upvotes on reddit
madjestervu · OP · 3 years ago

But the deadlights aren't just pennywise right? I understand the crimson king uses the deadlights in insomnia, which takes place in Derry. So is he actually using pennywise in a sense? Or do the deadlights have multiple incarnations, like the room 1408 or whatever the monster is in Later (which I have yet to read, along with insomnia)?

1 upvotes on reddit
madjestervu · OP · 3 years ago

The room also used hallucinations to attack Mark's mind (and I assume all the room's other victims) before trying to kill him.

1 upvotes on reddit
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Mitchell1876 · 3 years ago

They're in Later as well.

3 upvotes on reddit
slutdragon32 · 3 years ago

Came to say this. Do you think they will include then in the series that is coming out ?

2 upvotes on reddit
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r/stephenking • [2]

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Is there just one source of Deadlights or are there more?

Posted by Ok_Staff447 · in r/stephenking · 4 months ago
post image

I’ve been diving into the lore of Stephen King’s universe and keep coming across the Deadlights, mostly tied to IT/Pennywise. But I’m wondering—are the Deadlights a singular force/source (like an extension of IT alone), or are there multiple entities or places in the macroverse where Deadlights exist or originate from? Is it something unique to IT, or do other creatures (like the Crimson King or others) draw from it too? Curious to hear your interpretations or if there’s any canon info from King’s books that clears this up.

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Kwanzilla999 · 4 months ago

The dead lights are from the Prim, so in some regard they are ‘related’ to the other monsters there. The Crimson King is also from the Prim and both the king and Pennywise have some spider like themes in how they are presented. As does Mordred.

At the end of IT, it’s mentioned that Pennywise had laid some eggs, in the keystone world of Derry. In the DT series, another Deadlight is introduced near the end of the series, Dandelo. Unlike Pennywise, Dandelo uses comedy to disarm and charm.

3 upvotes on reddit
FinelySlicedOnions · 4 months ago

Based on my King readings, the Deadlights are unique to It. But not just unique to It, but rather that they are actually what It is. As if to say that any image we get of It is just a glamor for the Deadlights. Even the form of It as the ultimate spider. It is all just a glamor of whatever the Deadlights actually are. None of King’s other monsters match both the abilities of the Deadlights nor the god-like status the the Deadlights have in the Macroverse.

33 upvotes on reddit
Daytime-mechE · 4 months ago

Not unique to IT. They appear in his novel "Later"

2 upvotes on reddit
FinelySlicedOnions · 4 months ago

Interesting. So then what exactly is that “final shape” of It if it is not the Deadlights? Is it the mass of blackness that Bill and Richie go to during chud?

1 upvotes on reddit
RavenQueen33 · 4 months ago

She was pregnant so perhaps there is at least another "IT" out there waiting to haunt and thrill us. Wouldn't that be some happy crappy.

13 upvotes on reddit
MattyJeej · 4 months ago

I imagine It's physical presence on Earth being pregnant is a way the human mind comprehends It creating more vessels for the Deadlights. More embodiments to scatter around on our planet and find more victims to cast their human minds into the Deadlights for all eternity so It can feed on them going insane with fear. But It/the Deadlights/It's Earthly manifestions are still one entity.

9 upvotes on reddit
slimpickins757 · 4 months ago

Not unique to IT, crimson king in insomnia had deadlights too

5 upvotes on reddit
Propera · 4 months ago

Wasn’t there Deadlights in Later?

11 upvotes on reddit
techlacroix · 4 months ago

I just finished this and yes, in that book >!The deadlights come and inhabit the serial bomber thumper and it's hinted at that a very evil soul can be a conduit to the deadlights, a sort of pathway into this world.!<

3 upvotes on reddit
Distinct_Guess3350 · 4 months ago

I’ve not read any novels with the crimson king, but the Stephen King fandom page tells me that he has control over some of the Deadlights, implying that there are multiple. Of course, I myself am not sure.

2 upvotes on reddit
No_Concert4303 · 4 months ago

My understanding of the deadlights is it’s a power that can by used by the crimson king and it to kill or cause insanity. It’s in the dark tower series and insomnia too I believe, probably more.

5 upvotes on reddit
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DarkTowerOfWesteros · 4 months ago

The Dark Man is killed and eaten by a Spider-Boy.

2 upvotes on reddit
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r/ItTheMovie • [3]

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Colour of dead lights question

Posted by Thebigseb · in r/ItTheMovie · 3 years ago

Why do the dead lights go from orange to blue in IT chapter 2 (movie) and why are they just floating there the entire time during the end fight scene

6 upvotes on reddit
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BrandonHill1993 · 3 years ago

IT's real existence is out in space. what you see on earth is simply IT's avatar that came on the comet. So the lights your seeing are IT's true form out in space or a beacon to it per say thats why it changes colors.

5 upvotes on reddit
[deleted] · 3 years ago

I’m 100% sure this is a visual aesthetic thing rather than something that has a narrative purpose in universe.

Lots of blockbuster movies have a climax that feature a “big blue beam of light” during the finale.

It’s easier on the eyes and easier to light the actors that way while also keeping a dangerous and tense feel.

Having everything flashing orange for such a long period of time doesn’t feel right.

1 upvotes on reddit
No_Sense_1511 · 4 months ago

The movies are pretty loose and fast, different from the source material. But does keep elements (e.g; The Ritual Of Chüd despite it being different, Maturin, Pennywise being a cosmic horror disguised as a clown, etc). But the Deadlights turning blue is quite easy. Because, much like in the novel; the Ritual seems to be the only thing capable of locking IT in a physical form, and keeping it in a corporeal state of being without IT having chance of fleeing or escaping like It did when they were children. 

By locking It into a physical form and keeping the creature in a corporeal state of being, where It can be harmed despite it's physiology as a cosmic entity. It becomes killable as It is stuck on Earth as Pennywise The Dancing Clown (or the Pennywise Spider during the Ritual) until It dies or kills all seven participants. However, the Shokopiwah were not so lucky as they didn't overcome their fears or believe they could kill Pennywise. The Losers could, because they did what the Shokopiwah didn't. Implied to be from how they overcame their fears, traumas, guilt and truly believed they could kill IT. And heavily implied to be assisted and blessed by The Turtle (Maturin).

Essentially, The Ritual is forcefully anchoring It to our world without having any chance to flee back to the Macroverse. (I believe the Turtle was pulling some strings to help the Losers, since originally in the concept art; Maturin was meant to be in the adult Losers' battle against Pennywise). Making it killable and how the hell It lost, despite killing Eddie.

We know It can shapeshift, but in doing so. It is essentially bound by the laws and physics of the shape It inhabits due to Eddie strangling and nearly killing the Leper since he realized that Pennywise is bound by the laws of the shape It inhabits.

As for the Deadlights floating in mid-air? If I'm not mistaken, I think this was IT trying to aim the Deadlights towards and at the Losers Club. 

1 upvotes on reddit
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r/FanTheories • [4]

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IT: The Deadlights are tears in reality.

Posted by supermikeman · in r/FanTheories · 2 years ago

This makes the Deadlights being such a traumatic and powerful thing make more sense to me. We know from the book that IT's full/true form exists outside our universe and exists in Steven King's Macroverse. What I think occurred is that these tears were either made when the "meteor" carrying IT landed in ancient Derry or was carried along with said meteor. IT (or the greater entity) could reach through and control it's spawn on Earth. The reason the Deadlights remain in Derry could be that the tears are caught in the Earth's gravitational pull and are being carried along with Earth and the greater solar system as a whole.

When character's see the Deadlights, it's possible they're seeing that other universe and their brain can't truly process it and is damaged. Or in Henry Bower's case more deranged than it already is.

98 upvotes on reddit
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abstergo_Nigel · 2 years ago

First, please let us know if this is the movies, the miniseries, or the book, because the answer can change a bit between things.

If it's the book, then read more King, if it's the miniseries, then it's really just IT, and if it's the movies, I only watched them once (on theaters for each, so a while ago), so I don't remember deadlights being mentioned, but probably the same as the miniseries.

-14 upvotes on reddit
Eutanagram · 2 years ago

> If it's the book, then read more King

> if it's the miniseries, then it's really just IT

I'm curious about this. Would you mind going into more detail?

7 upvotes on reddit
Jasole37 · 2 years ago

The miniseries isn't part of the Macroverse.

-3 upvotes on reddit
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SightWithoutEyes · 2 years ago

You say "read more King". I've read a ton of King, and I can see where OP is coming from. The possibility that IT contains miniature thinnies inside it's gullet aren't outside the realm of possibilities. I read "IT" last year, but if my memory serves me correctly, the Deadlights ARE It's true form. They are one and the same. Though that brings up the possibility that they may be a form of sentient thinny. There is a sort of malevolent beckoning semi-intelligence attributed to them in Book 4 of the Dark Tower.

7 upvotes on reddit
abstergo_Nigel · 2 years ago

Reread the OP. One they don't mention a version, which is important, and two, they don't say anything near to this. So what's your problem with my request for clarification over the original post?

-3 upvotes on reddit
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SightWithoutEyes · 2 years ago

IT is a creature from outside of Todash space, which are the spaces in-between the universes that make up the macroverse.

Before I go any further, have you read the Dark Tower? Because a lot of this isn't going to make much sense if you haven't.

I believe IT stays in Derry because it's easy prey. It's off the beaten path, IT can stay low profile and avoid the attention of the fed-boys from the Shop. You don't want Agent Mulder and Scully showing up and ruining your buffet.

It's possible that being from outside the Macroverse, the matter that makes up the Deadlights are alien and mindbreaking to normal humans. The Deadlights are It's true form, they're one and the same. It didn't carry tears in reality with it on it's back, it IS a tear in reality. Perhaps a malevolent thinny, but that's speculation.

56 upvotes on reddit
RhapBohemiSody · 2 years ago

What tears?. It didnt come from a universe into our universe, his universe refers to Kings fictional version of our universe, like the Nolanverse.

It already exists in the universe.

There is no reason to think reality has torn, or that dimensional tears have very particular physics.

The reason the deadlights occur in Derry is that King puts EVERYTHING in Derry or Maine or America.

Their true origin is cocaine.

-19 upvotes on reddit
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SightWithoutEyes · 2 years ago

You haven't read King very much, have you? Tears in reality are a semi-common occurrence. Thinnies, in the Dark Tower, whatever it was that Project Arrowhead was working on in The Mist.

King has many universes that are referred to collectively as the Macroverse, which is kept intact by the existence of the Dark Tower. Beings like Pennywise are theorized to be creatures that exist outside of the Macroverse, in what are known as Todash spaces. OP, I believe, is on-point, somewhat.

16 upvotes on reddit
Donotcomenearme · 2 years ago

But how did a creature that has a species with canonically ONE deadlight, end up with three of them?

And why wouldn’t Pennywise go back once she realized she was pregnant if the tears are accessible?

And why wasn’t the “power” of the deadlights amplified when used or seen?

3 upvotes on reddit
AmbitionUnable7934 · 1 year ago

I don't think it's a part of a species. And the 3 orbs we see are just a Manifestation of the power IT used to come to our reality. It probably really doesn't give a fuck about its "kids" since it most likely sees itself as above all that shit.

1 upvotes on reddit
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HuntingTheWumpus · 2 years ago

Stephen King pillaged Lovecraft (and drops references to Lovecraft's work in his stories). The entities of Lovecraft's cosmology, the Old Gods and the Great Old Ones (who are in constant conflict) are simply alien entities which exist "in the darkness between the stars." The creator of the Universe, for example, is Azathoth, an insane, mindless entity surrounded by orbiting pipers at the centre of the galaxy. In Lovecraft's time, galaxies were called "Universes," and there was confusion about what the Universe was and how large it was, so it's hard to decide what he really meant by this.

If we assume that King is copying Lovecraft's cosmology, the Deadlights are alien entities so vast and powerful and beyond the conception of the human mind that simply looking at them causes insanity. "Outside the Universe" in the sense Lovecraft meant really means "outside the galaxy." The implication is that there may be entities as far beyond the Deadlights as the Deadlights are beyond us which is supported by the literal finger of God appearing at the end of The Stand.

5 upvotes on reddit
Hvac_assassin · 1 year ago

This doesn’t add up when you think of insomnia. And on the stand the hand of god is a manifestation of that entities power in that one part. Or saw I thought

1 upvotes on reddit
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r/stephenking • [5]

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Theory for 'IT' (Book)

Posted by Bubblesstud1os · in r/stephenking · 18 days ago

This just occurred to me and it blew my mind. I'm very sure this is Stephen's intention with this detail. So in the book, it is repeatedly mentioned that no matter what form It takes it always has three orange pompoms somewhere on that forms body. They're on the Teen Werewolf's jacket, on the weird birds tongue, and of course on Pennywise's clown suit. I think this is supposed to represent the Deadlights (It's true form is three floating orange lights). It could be that It can only deviate so much from It's true form, or that it has those as a sort of tribute to It's true form, maybe? I'm not sure

5 upvotes on reddit
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JustAnAce · 18 days ago

As good a any other theory so if it brings you joy to think this is the fact of the elder God that is It then rock on brother. Headcanon does exist for a reason.

2 upvotes on reddit
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r/TheDarkTower • [6]

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What was the point of the spiders eggs in IT?

Posted by kkfosonroblox · in r/TheDarkTower · 5 months ago

If one of these eggs turn into Dandelo, then wouldn’t all of them just overrun Derry? What was the goal behind laying the thousands of spiders eggs?

12 upvotes on reddit
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sp0rkah0lic · 5 months ago

Could be just to let us know that It's not a demon or a singular entity. Despite ITs supernatural abilities, It is inherently biological.

Or maybe to open the door to there being MORE of them. Son of an It lol.

Idk if it's ever been actually established as cannon but it's part of my head cannon that Dandelo was an IT, and that maybe the Crimson King himself shares some common root.

Also, there's a story that is told in Song of Susanna. It's told by the novels version of King while he's under hypnosis by Roland. And it's about being very scared of spiders as a little boy. Believing they were agents of the Crimson King.

Seems like spiders abound in SK world. Bad guys and scary guys are... Spider-y

47 upvotes on reddit
kkfosonroblox · OP · 5 months ago

I read that it was a plan to continue its species incase of it’s death on earth. Rather than sending another avatar down, the spider laid thousands of eggs to continue wreaking havoc on Derry.

Although since most of the eggs were crushed. The dead lights probably sent another avatar down to derry, which is slightly referenced in future works such as the tommyknockers and dreamcatcher.

1 upvotes on reddit
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Atlantis_Risen · 5 months ago

I always thought that Dandelo was another creature similar to IT but not an offspring of IT.

3 upvotes on reddit
sp0rkah0lic · 5 months ago

Yeah it's not clear because obviously Roland's world can interface to many whens and wheres so.who knows what the timeline is. But my instinct is that you're correct, more siblings or cousins than parent/child just feels more accurate.

3 upvotes on reddit
thajoker1 · 5 months ago

According to a quote on Stephenking.com, Dandelo and IT “are most likely of the same species”. I’d say your head cannon is accurate.

31 upvotes on reddit
McSassy_Pants · 5 months ago

There is a short story SK wrote about a creature that is kinda like IT and takes the form of a little boy. He acts like IT and feeds off the misery of others. He is very clown like in how he dresses, and no one else can see him. There is a theory that this little boy is an egg that hatched and didn’t get destroyed, and a baby version of IT. It is called the Bad Little Kid

2 upvotes on reddit
btwsox · 5 months ago

I just finished my read through of the Holly stories and am wondering if the “outsiders” are a cousin of IT.

7 upvotes on reddit
CH3RRYP0PP1NS · 5 months ago

My head canon is that Dandelo and IT ARE cousins. I'm not positive but I believe i read that somewhere. Here probably.

5 upvotes on reddit
Triumphus- · 5 months ago

I’ve just finished the Kingslingers pod cast of IT. It was a good romp, and makes me want to re read the book again….Having read the book 20 years ago I can safely say that “I don’t know what the point of the spiders eggs were”. I hope this helps 😀

2 upvotes on reddit
KingBrave1 · 5 months ago

It doesn't have to have a point. Though there are other mentions of bigger than normal spiders after IT such as in Tommyknockers.

4 upvotes on reddit
Glove-Both · 5 months ago

I also wanna throw The Library Policeman as a probably spawn of Pennywise, and maybe the creature thing that was in Tom Gordon.

3 upvotes on reddit
Glove-Both · 5 months ago

Maybe. Could have just been a nasty looking bear. But it fed on Trisha's fear, and repelled by her bravery at the end.

Not much to go on, but fun bit of welding stuff together.

4 upvotes on reddit
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r/TheDarkTower • [7]

Summarize

Deadlights?

Posted by msdeschain · in r/TheDarkTower · 2 years ago

Hile, gunslingers! On my 3rd trip to the Tower, just finished reading "IT", and I swear there are other places in the main series where a character sees "deadlights," or something they call deadlights but don't know why, but I can't remember where or which book. I think "Insomnia" mentions them, but is it possible that Jake sees them in Lud?

2 upvotes on reddit
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[deleted] · 2 years ago

First used in IT. Sometimes makes an appearance in other books, but never meaning the same thing it meant in IT(the book), as that was specific to IT (the creature).

7 upvotes on reddit
Dc12934344 · 2 years ago

They are mentioned in the gunslinger. If I remember correctly, it was in the town he passed through. Someone alludes to them being near the western coast.

4 upvotes on reddit
Muted-Manufacturer57 · 2 years ago

I just re-read The Gunslinger. While in Tull, Roland asks a local what is beyond the Mohane desert, and this is one of the rumors. It’s not called the deadlights, but the description is pretty exact.

1 upvotes on reddit
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jer85 · 2 years ago

I’m almost sure they’re mentioned in wolves, something related to thunderclap.

4 upvotes on reddit
Bullstrongdvm · 2 years ago

It's been a while since I read Dr. Sleep but I want to say there's something akin to them in it.

6 upvotes on reddit
msdeschain · OP · 2 years ago

It's on my list. Thank you!

2 upvotes on reddit
AnakinSol · 2 years ago

FWIW, deadlights were a real thing until the electric revolution in the late 19th/early 20th century. They were large crystal prisms meant to help workers in the lower decks of ships have usable daylight. They were also used in sewer construction for the same reason, so plumbers and construction workers would have usable daylight underground. The more common name was deck prism.

15 upvotes on reddit
msdeschain · OP · 2 years ago

🤯

6 upvotes on reddit
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r/AskScienceFiction • [8]

Summarize

[IT novel] barrier holding back the deadlights

Posted by kkfosonroblox · in r/AskScienceFiction · 1 month ago

I’ve heard many people discuss the barrier that is briefly seen during the ritual of chud, people say that the deadlights makes a pinhole in the barrier which lets allows a small part of it to manifest in our world.

after rereading that section of the novel and not finding much evidence(aside from the barrier actually being there) how much of this is true? Is it referenced in other books or other parts of the novel?

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1 upvotes on reddit
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Malphos101 · 1 month ago

The ritual is not like a magic spell, its just a human conceptualization of the battle of wills it takes to defeat a Todash entity like IT through removing fear from your mind and replacing it with determination and self-assurance.

9 upvotes on reddit
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r/stephenking • [9]

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Deadlights in Pet Sematary? (SPOILERS for Pet Sematary)

Posted by drstrangelove75 · in r/stephenking · 5 years ago

During the quarantine I’ve been trying to finish Pet Sematary (As I’ve had little time to read it before all the chaos) and I’ve just gotten to the portion where Louis is taking Gage’s body up to the burial ground. There he encounters what is described to be the Wendigo, which disturbs Louis as he tries to complete his grave task. One thing that caught me is that it’s mentioned during Louis’ encounter that he sees bright orange lights. In addition, the Wendigo keeps its distance from Louis and it’s constantly mentioned that the evil of the Pet Sematary pulls the characters to it, almost in a way of bargaining. All of these have made me wonder if the Wendigo is a manifestation of Pennywise or something similar?

I’ve been unable to find any information to back this theory and I’m not knowledgeable enough on the folklore surrounding the Wendigo to know if orange lights are a normal feature. Also, I’m not particularly a fan of the theory that “Pennywise is behind everything” as I’ve heard in some circles but I still think this could be an interesting theory. Here is why I think this could be the case:

  1. In the novel IT and other appearances by creatures who seem to be part of the same species as Pennywise (Dandelo and the Crimson King), the Macroverse aliens all seem to have a varied degree of humor when it comes to bargaining, especially when they’re trying to trap prey. This is mainly seen with Pennywise when he talks with Georgie in IT. Although it’s not directly said, it could be reasoned that the Wendigo plays mind games on the people of Ludlow in order to bargain with them to bury their dead in the cursed burial ground. This could also be desperation on the part of the characters but there is definitely something bigger going on.
  2. The description of the orange lights in PS are a somewhat similar to the description of the deadlights in IT. While Louis doesn’t go insane when he sees the Wendigo (as in IT, it’s said that looking into the lights causes death or insanity), the Wendigo does keep its distance from Louis.
  3. Ludlow is likely only a few hours from Derry in universe.

My overall theory is that the version of the Wendigo that is present in PS is either a manifestation of the creature from IT or it’s a separate but similar creature, most likely originating from the Macroverse, just as Pennywise did. What are your thoughts?

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[deleted] · 5 years ago

Honestly, I don't think people should try to tie things in the King universe together too much. The novel It establishes that there is only one entity of the Deadlights, it's not really a species with multiple creatures. Maybe the Deadlights sent multiple vessels to other planets/universes, but it's all part of one entity.

Truth is, King just returns to the same imagery that creeps him out a lot. It becomes apparent when you write that many books. There's a lot of monsters with silver eyes and a lot of shapeshifters, but that doesn't make them all Pennywise.

Also, in this particular case the orange light is imagery pulled straight from Lovecraft's The Colour Out Of Space, which must've made quite an impression on King (it's a great short story). He also uses it as an influence in multiple other books, such as The Tommyknockers. So it's more likely he keeps referencing that story over and over.

7 upvotes on reddit
[deleted] · 5 years ago

I think that some people actually try too hard to dismiss the connections between SK books. While I don’t think that the Wendigo is Pennywise or a relative of, the orange lights can’t just be dismissed so easily. Pennywise, Dandelo, El Cuco, and Ondowsky are all clearly a related species, which is even confirmed by SK in an interview. They are all Great Old Ones of the Prim, or the spawns of them, as I think Wendigo is as well, given its access to the dead lights, aka the void. In The Jaunt, anyone who is awake as they enter the void has their hair turn white and is driven insane, just like those that encounter the dead lights. You also can’t dismiss that IT’s sigil, that appears on the door to the lair, also appears in Tommyknockers and Under the Dome. His books are full of connections and shared themes, that’s literally the entire point of the DT series. There is a lot SK hasn’t shared with us...yet.

3 upvotes on reddit
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thewhitecat55 · 5 years ago

1000% agree. People try to link shit up way too much.

It is more like - As a writer he has a subconscious well of ideas.He returns to that well , and a lot of times the themes or imagery he pulls up in the bucket are similar.

3 upvotes on reddit
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thewhitecat55 · 5 years ago

>Also, I’m not particularly a fan of the theory that “Pennywise is behind everything” as I’ve heard in some circles

Good. There is entirely too much reaching to connect shit already.

Also , To say that the Wendigo is in Pet Semetary is itself a stretch. Who says so in the book ? No one , really. Jud tells Louis a story , that vaguely references the Wendigo. That's it.

Also , the area behind the barricade is swampy. The orange lights could just be what are called "will o wisps".

My general thoughts on this is that it is a huge stretch based on nothing.

2 upvotes on reddit
matty1p7 · 3 years ago

You serious? Louis says it himself multiple times in pt2 and 3

1 upvotes on reddit
matty1p7 · 3 years ago

The Wendigo, dear Christ, that was the Wendigo--the creature that moves through the north country, the creature that can touch you and turn you into a cannibal. That was it. The Wendigo has just passed within sixty yards of me.

1 upvotes on reddit
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thewhitecat55 · 3 years ago

Yes , and Louis knows Jack shit. He's not reliable . He's a doctor , not a cryptid hunter. He had never even heard of a Wendigo before Jud told him the story. Which might JUST be a story. Plus , he didn't even see anything. It was tall. Whoop de doo. It could have been Shaq , he doesn't fucking know

1 upvotes on reddit
drstrangelove75 · OP · 5 years ago

I understand your reasoning. I was just curious if anyone had any ideas or facts. Thanks for your contribution.

3 upvotes on reddit
the_NGW · 5 years ago

The lights were its eyes IIRC

4 upvotes on reddit
birbscreamingmetal · 5 years ago

Dug out my copy, (Signet paperback) here's the bit you're thinking of on page 364:

"Louis saw something.

The mist stained to a dull slate-gray for a moment, but this diffuse, ill-defined watermark was was better than sixty-feet high. It was no shade, no insubstantial ghost; he could feel the displaced air of its passage, could hear the mammoth thud of its feet coming down, the suck of mud as it moved on.

For a moment he believed he saw twin yellow-orange sparks high above him. Sparks like eyes."

3 upvotes on reddit
matty1p7 · 3 years ago

Its eyes, tilted up like the eyes in a classical Chinese painting, were a rich yellowish-gray, sunken, gleaming. The mouth was drawn down in a rictus; the lower lip was turned out, revealing teeth stained blackish-brown and worn down almost to nubs. But what struck Louis were the ears, which were not ears at all but curving horns . . . they were not like devil's horns; they were ram's horns.

1 upvotes on reddit
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r/ItTheMovie • [10]

Summarize

Did anyone else hear the trapped soul in the Deadlights?

Posted by danthaman15 · in r/ItTheMovie · 7 years ago
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26 upvotes on reddit
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Penny-Wise_ · 7 years ago

Yeah I hate it. This makes Pennywise seem like Freddy Krueger. There's absolutely no indication in the book (which should be used as a Bible on how It, the creature operates) that souls get trapped in the deadlights, I always thought that when It kills you and eats you, it eats all of you, including your life force/soul. And that's dark.

But on a better note God damn this is the best CGI in the whole movie. Whoever did the effects on the throat did a fuckin great job. It looks nasty as hell

1 upvotes on reddit
stevie1218 · 7 years ago

It sends your life force/soul to the deadlights, which is eternal torture.

Hearing tortured voices in the deadlights wasn't in the book, but for the movie it's a change that makes sense and might give viewers an easier time understanding what they were, and what It actually is.

3 upvotes on reddit
Penny-Wise_ · 7 years ago

I think people would be able to understand just fine without it (its fairly obvious in the film what they are, and even if you've just watched the miniseries, you'll know what they are because they're constantly name dropped in that movie)

I just feel like it's easy and safe. When you die by It's hand, you don't "die", you float with It in It's own domain. The deadlights aren't "eternal torture" from what we know, it's not like hell. It's something more Lovecraftian, eternal Insanity.

2 upvotes on reddit
Dak1982 · 7 years ago

Yea, the CGI was on point during this scene. I thought the whole bit with his mouth opening up and how it was portrayed after was some alien/otherworldly type shit.

1 upvotes on reddit
its-called-unagi · 7 years ago

Yes! Being that IT is referred to as the “eater of worlds”, I always wondered if he was able to create some sort of time travel ability since Young Bev says that she saw them confronting IT again when they were their parents ages. But yes. Good catch.

10 upvotes on reddit
danthaman15 · OP · 7 years ago

Thank you! Yeah I wasn't sure if I was hearing things but subtitles confirmed it. Honestly with the time travel thing, there is so much trippy shit from the novel (remember how when they are adults killing it in the novel, a man in Derry starts repeating what Richie says during the storm?). It honestly feels like ANYTHING goes with this creature.

6 upvotes on reddit
Dak1982 · 7 years ago

Mr. Nell died too (I think) when Pennywise was killed. Might be wrong. I like Mr. Nell lol. Hope he's in a flashback scene.

2 upvotes on reddit
its-called-unagi · 7 years ago

Yes!! I started a book club last year and this was the very first book we started (even though I'd obvi read it a few times) and no one else really dug into the time travel plot devise that was mentioned a few times.

Totally unrelated but do you think we've EVER going to see that infamously deleted scene with the 1800 or 1900 flashback scene with the baby? DYING to see this.

5 upvotes on reddit
Dak1982 · 7 years ago

Great point.

2 upvotes on reddit
nutmeg32280 · 7 years ago

I never noticed. Now I’m gonna have to rewatch it :)

3 upvotes on reddit
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Related

What is the backstory of Pennywise in It

What is the origin of the Losers' Club in It

How does Pennywise change forms in It

AI Answer

🤖

What is the significance of the Deadlights in It

Significance of the Deadlights in "It"

  1. Symbol of Fear and Terror: The Deadlights represent the true form of Pennywise, embodying the primal fears that haunt the characters. They are a manifestation of the unknown and the terror that lurks beneath the surface.

  2. Connection to the Macroverse: The Deadlights are linked to the larger cosmic entity known as "It," suggesting that Pennywise is not just a simple monster but part of a more complex and terrifying universe. This connection emphasizes the idea that fear is a universal experience.

  3. Loss of Control: When characters gaze into the Deadlights, they experience a sense of paralysis and loss of agency. This reflects how fear can immobilize individuals, making them vulnerable to manipulation and harm.

  4. Thematic Exploration of Childhood vs. Adulthood: The Deadlights serve as a reminder of the innocence of childhood and the loss of that innocence as one grows up. The children in Derry confront their fears, while adults often ignore or forget them, leading to a cycle of trauma.

  5. Visual and Psychological Horror: The Deadlights create a visually striking and psychologically disturbing image that enhances the horror elements of the story. They evoke a sense of dread and fascination, drawing readers and characters alike into a deeper confrontation with their fears.

Takeaway: The Deadlights are a crucial element in Stephen King's "It," serving as a powerful symbol of fear, control, and the cosmic horror that underlies the narrative. They highlight the themes of childhood trauma and the struggle against one's deepest fears.

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