The Long Walk

The motif of spectatorship helps dehumanize the Walkers. The relationship between Walkers and spectators reinforces the theme of Male Friendship and Masculinity; the boys define their sexuality and supposed desirability by the actions of female viewers. In addition, this relationship reinforces the theme of Resisting Oppression, as the boys accept being a part of a system that seeks to destroy them.

The epigraphs that appear at the beginning of each chapter emphasize the role of violence in entertainment. Combining quotes from game shows, war speeches, and violent sports, the juxtaposed quotes emphasize the different ways that people are willing to hurt each other and justify “civilized” violence. The Walk is mere entertainment for the spectators, who embrace it as an opportunity to gamble. The boys discuss an article that claims that spectators place more than two billion bets on the Walk each year. A spectator encourages Garraty, telling him, “I got ten bucks on you” (87). In addition, spectators are eager to claim objects from the Walkers. After Garraty loses his shoes, they’re quickly claimed (268), and even an empty chicken tube begins a “new career as a souvenir” (145).

Stephen King’s