The Slow Mutants
Encyclopedia
"The Slow Mutants" is a novella by Stephen King
, originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in July 1981
. In 1982
, "The Slow Mutants" was collected with four other stories King published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction as The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger. "The Slow Mutants" formed the fourth chapter of the book, and was slightly revised for the inclusion.
and Jake
make their way through a mine shaft in the side of the mountain using a hand car cart created by the Great Old Ones
. During this time, to distract the boy, Roland tells him a story of his childhood (which is also told in Wizard and Glass and The Gunslinger Born).
At age fourteen, Roland discovered his mother having an affair with his father's court magician, Marten Broadcloak
. Marten taunted Roland, hoping to urge him into an early trial to become a gunslinger
, in order that he would fail and be sent into exile, therefore ending potential trouble for the Good Man
and Crimson King
to whom Marten secretly swore allegiance. However, using his hawk, David, as a weapon in the trial - an unexpected move - Roland was able to pass the test and become a gunslinger.
During their time in the mountain, Roland and Jake are attacked by slow mutant
s. After narrowly escaping them, Roland and Jake hurry on over a deep precipice on a dilapidated trellis. Jake slips and Roland catches him, but Walter, who has now finally come into view, assures Roland a choice must be made; either let the boy die or catch him never. Roland lets Jake fall to his death, and the gunslinger and the man in black exit the shaft together.
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
, originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in July 1981
1981 in literature
The year 1981 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction given for the first time...
. In 1982
1982 in literature
The year 1982 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*La Bicyclette Bleue by Régine Deforges becomes France's best selling novel ever.-New books:...
, "The Slow Mutants" was collected with four other stories King published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction as The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger. "The Slow Mutants" formed the fourth chapter of the book, and was slightly revised for the inclusion.
Plot
RolandRoland Deschain
Roland Deschain of Gilead is a fictional character, the protagonist and antihero of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series. He is the son of Steven and Gabrielle Deschain and is descended from a long line of "gunslingers", peacekeepers and diplomats of Roland's society...
and Jake
Jake Chambers
John "Jake" Chambers is a fictional character in Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels. He first appeared in the short story "The Way Station" in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in April 1980, which was later compiled as one of the chapters of the first Dark Tower book, The...
make their way through a mine shaft in the side of the mountain using a hand car cart created by the Great Old Ones
Old One
Old One may be a term used to refer to a god or other deity. Old Ones may also be a term used to refer to beings who co-existed with early humans according to many religions...
. During this time, to distract the boy, Roland tells him a story of his childhood (which is also told in Wizard and Glass and The Gunslinger Born).
At age fourteen, Roland discovered his mother having an affair with his father's court magician, Marten Broadcloak
Randall Flagg
Randall Flagg is a fictional character created by Stephen King. Flagg has appeared in seven novels by King, sometimes as the main antagonist and others in a brief cameo. He often appears under different names; most are abbreviated by the initials R.F. There are exceptions to this rule; in The Dark...
. Marten taunted Roland, hoping to urge him into an early trial to become a gunslinger
Gunslinger
Gunfighter, also gunslinger , is a 20th century word, used in cinema or literature, referring to men in the American Old West who had gained a reputation as being dangerous with a gun...
, in order that he would fail and be sent into exile, therefore ending potential trouble for the Good Man
John Farson
John Farson is a fictional character from Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of novels and comic books. Known as "The Good Man", Farson is the leader of a revolution in In-World who appeals to the common people, wanting to end the training of Gunslingers and re-distribute power. His stated...
and Crimson King
Crimson King
The Crimson King, also commonly known as Los', is a fictional character created by Stephen King. He is the antagonist in the novel Insomnia the main villain due to a plot twist in Black House and one of the main villains in the latter half of Stephen King's Dark Tower series.-Fictional...
to whom Marten secretly swore allegiance. However, using his hawk, David, as a weapon in the trial - an unexpected move - Roland was able to pass the test and become a gunslinger.
During their time in the mountain, Roland and Jake are attacked by slow mutant
Slow mutant
Slow Mutants are a fictional offshoot of humanity in the post-apocalyptic world of Stephen King's Dark Tower series.Slow Mutants are the result of a long-passed nuclear war. They have luminous green skin, and a variety of twisted faces....
s. After narrowly escaping them, Roland and Jake hurry on over a deep precipice on a dilapidated trellis. Jake slips and Roland catches him, but Walter, who has now finally come into view, assures Roland a choice must be made; either let the boy die or catch him never. Roland lets Jake fall to his death, and the gunslinger and the man in black exit the shaft together.
See also
- Short fiction by Stephen KingShort fiction by Stephen KingThis is a list of short fiction by Stephen King. This includes short stories, novelettes, and novellas, as well as poems. It is arranged chronologically by first publication...