Cujo

Why do you think King opens Cujo with “Once upon a time”? What atmosphere does this establish early in the novel? What thematic meaning might this creative decision suggest?

King opted to structure his novel as one body of text without chapters. Do you think this benefited Cujo’s tone and intention, or would you have preferred a chapter organization? Why?

King is known for unique descriptions in his horror scenes that imbed themselves in readers’ minds. What passage struck you most as you read Cujo? What about this passage resonated with you?

Cujo is written using third-person narration to reflect the thoughts of its wide cast of characters—including Cujo himself. What effect did this narrative style lend to the novel? If you had to rewrite the novel through one specific point of view, which character would you choose to follow through the horrific events, and why?

What is the significance of Vic’s Sharp Cereals subplot to the novel’s broader drama and themes? Why do you think King incorporated this realistic drama into his horror novel?

Cujo presents monsters in many forms. Most of them—including the dog, Joe Camber, Steve Kemp, and Frank Dodd—are male. What is the importance of Donna’s monstrous moment, when she kills Cujo? How does King describe her episode of monstrosity? How does Donna’s monstrosity depart from—and challenge—other modes of monstrosity in the novel?

At the novel’s end, the Trenton and Camber families’ story arcs parallel one another, as both families resolve to move forward together to a more hopeful future despite the tragedies they’ve experienced. How does this ending relate to the novel’s theme on fate versus free will? How do both families’ actions push back against concepts of fate?

In his last sentence, Stephen King switches from third person to first person narration. Why do you believe he made this creative decision? How does the novel’s ending stylistically and/or thematically connect to its opening?