The Body

The Body

• Genre: Fiction; novella; bildungsroman
• Originally Published: 1982 (as part of the collection Different Seasons)
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 720L; grades 10-12; college/adult
• Structure/Length: 34 chapters; approximately 192 pages
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The Body is a coming-of-age novella that follows the adventures of four friends—Gordie, Chris, Teddy, and Vern—in the summer of 1960 in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine. The central conflict revolves around their quest to find the dead body of a missing boy named Ray Brower. As they embark on a journey through the woods, they encounter various challenges and obstacles, including personal demons and the harsh realities of their lives. The novella explores friendship, adolescence, loss of innocence, and the complexities of growing up.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Death; violence; profanity; sex; loss of family members; trauma; child abuse; assault

Stephen King, Author

• Bio: Born 1947; American author known as the "Master of Horror" for his prolific contributions to the horror and supernatural genres, including over 65 novels and novellas; spans a wide range of genres, including suspense, thriller, fantasy, and nonfiction
• Other Works: Carrie (1974); The Shining (1977); The Dark Tower series (beginning with The Gunslinger, 1982); Pet Sematary (1983); It (1986); Dolores Claiborne (1992); Under the Dome (2009); Finders Keepers (2015); Fairy Tale (2022)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Purpose of Stories
• The Pain of Love and Loss
• Coming of Age and the Loss of Innocence

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Gain an understanding of the social contexts regarding risky behavior by adolescents that incite the behavior of Gordie and the other protagonists. 
• Read and study paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of The Purpose of Stories, Coming of Age and the Loss of Innocence, and The Pain of Love and Loss. 
• Discuss the deeper meaning of the text through prompts and activities that connect to or address the text’s motif of childhood trauma.  
• Plan, design, and construct a board game demonstrating Gordie’s journey from childhood to adulthood.