Chapters 1-3
The story sets in 1975 on a town called Jerusalem's Lot in Maine. The point of view the novel is written from are various characters throughout the chapters. For instance, chapter one is Ben Mears, chapter two is Susan Norton, and chapter three is most of the town in different scenes. The protagonist of the story is Ben Mears, a novelist who once lived there about 25 years before. When we are first introduced to Ben, he has trouble accomplishing to even enter the town, Jerusalem's Lot. When Ben does gather the confidence to enter town, he notices the Marsten house and instantly fear infiltrates him. The challenge he faces is overcoming that fear that has haunted him for years. Throughout the explicit detail of the setting, there is a symbol. I believe that symbol is the Marsten house itself. The characteristics of the Marsten house, with it's ominous aroma, symbolizes everyone's feelings of how they view the town.
In chapter three we meet a variety of characters. All of which are strange in their own way. There is, however, a character I found the strangest. Of all the characters, I disliked Richard Straker the most. Although he may be a major character following the story, in this chapter, he is hiding so many secrets. Every nerve in me is full of tension and worry of what part he will take for the duration of the novel. I detest the feeling of anxiety, therefore hating him for making me feel it. Nonetheless, there wouldn't be interest if it weren't for him.
