31 pages • 1 hour read
Stephen KingThe Ledge
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1976A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
Stanley “Stan” Norris
Stanley Norris, often referred to as “Stan” in the narrative, serves as the story’s protagonist. He begins as a tennis pro involved in an affair, a choice that inadvertently places him in Cressner’s crosshairs. From the outset, his characterization paints him as an average man, ensnared in a perilous situation that tests the very limits of his endurance, both physical and psychological. Stan represents the everyman trapped in an extraordinary situation, serving as a conduit for readers to experience the terror and tension firsthand.
Stan’s background as a tennis pro endows Stan with skills that become invaluable during his ledge journey. His affair, on the other hand, gives a glimpse into his audacious nature, further reinforced by his decision to tackle Cressner’s harrowing challenge head-on. His internal monologues, particularly his visceral reactions to the dizzying heights and the looming city below, offer readers a window into his deepest fears. While Stan’s actions, such as persistently pushing forward despite numerous obstacles on the ledge, showcase his determination, his reactions—like the sweat breaking out all over his body—underscore the intense fear he must overcome. Through Stan’s actions, King effectively marries the themes of Human Resilience and Fate and the Unpredictability of Life.
Throughout the ordeal on the ledge, readers witness a profound transformation. From a man initially dictated by circumstances, Stan evolves into a determined survivor, refusing to bow down to Cressner’s twisted game. This determination to survive, despite overwhelming odds, aligns Stan with archetypal hero figures who undergoes harrowing trials.
Cressner
Cressner emerges as the story’s primary antagonist. Wealthy and deeply sadistic, he orchestrates the deadly game that forces Stan onto the ledge. From the onset, Cressner is established as a crime lord, and he wields power that reaches beyond mere financial means. His introduction, where he offers Stan a sinister wager rather than resorting to violence, reflects his comfort with manipulation. His penchant for bets serves as a critical tool of characterization and is further echoed in his casual mention of having made several of these bets in the past, hinting at a history of deriving pleasure from others’ suffering. His characterization serves to amplify the story’s central themes of power dynamics, human cruelty, and the lengths individuals will go to maintain dominance.
The environment Cressner occupies—a luxurious penthouse overlooking the city—further underscores his elevated status and detachment from the average individual’s struggles. Cressner’s role as the antagonist is pivotal in driving the narrative’s tension. In a twist of poetic justice, Cressner’s character arc takes a significant turn at the story’s end. From a position of absolute power, he finds himself on the opposite end of his own game, forced to navigate the very ledge he imposed on Stan. This reversal, where the puppet master becomes the puppet, offers readers a satisfying conclusion, emphasizing themes of retribution and the Fate and the Unpredictability of Life. Cressner’s character serves as a chilling reminder of the extremes of human malevolence and the intoxicating nature of power. Through him, King delves into the darker recesses of human nature, presenting a character whose actions and motivations become central to the narrative’s suspense and tension.
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By Stephen King
