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Pennywise Wasn't Created by IT

A Fan Theory

By Michael BauchPublished 6 years ago 2 min read
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Pennywise was a real person…

At least that’s the theory I’m starting with. In Stephen King’s IT the titular, unnamed entity takes on a multitude of physical identities, but something occurred to me. None of these identities are “original.” I specifically highlight when IT takes on the form of the teenage werewolf or the mummy. These are creations of from the psyches of the children. IT probably didn’t sit through a showing of I Was a Teenage Werewolf or The Mummy. Rather, IT took these forms because IT knew the kids were scared by them.

Now the painting IT brings to life, Judith, is also something that Stanley is afraid of, but the painting exists. I use this as a jumping off point because IT likes to scare the kids, that way they taste better when getting eaten by the otherworldly monster. But then we have “Bob Gray” and “Pennywise” and “The Leper.” Now these are three faces that the kids encounter that are solely tied to the entity. We don’t have any other reference except this interaction. Except we see by using the mummy, the werewolf, and the painting, that IT isn’t exactly creative in the guises IT uses. Rather, it takes what has already been established as “scary” and builds on that.

I propose that at one point in the history of Derry, Maine, there was a Bob Gray, a leper, and a clown that terrified or tormented children. What IT does, and this is evident throughout the whole book, is that it builds on the negativity and evil already inherent in the population. That’s why what is happening to the kids isn’t noticed by the adults and why some of the adults, namely Beverly’s dad and, to an extent Eddie’s mom, are guilty of it in some way or another. Those are just the most extreme cases. Even teenagers are affected by IT's influence. Since IT has been a part of Derry for generations, it is almost guaranteed by IT’s M.O. that Bob Gray was an actual person who acted on his darker impulses and may have been an Ed Gein or Fred Kruger-like individual, one that struck fear in the general populace and who captivated the horrified imaginations of Derry’s children. Pennywise might have been an actual circus or performing clown that took a John Wayne Gacy role in the city. The leper was probably an outcast who’s disease and treatment by the town folk made him a sinister individual. Or he may have been just fine, only becoming evil in the imaginations of the children.

Whatever Pennywise did in life, coupled with documented intense fear of clowns in the populace anyway may have created a perfect storm of intense fear for the kids of Derry, making IT the ultimate fan-fiction writer.

That’s my take anyway. Thanks for reading.

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About the Creator

Michael Bauch

I am a writer with a wide range of interests. Don't see anything that sparks your fancy? Check back again later, you might be surprised by what's up my sleeve.

You can follow me on Twitter @MichaelBauch7

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