Stephen King – The Stand – links to “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats

So today I finished reading Stephen King's The Stand today and loved it. I reread the poem The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats which is mentioned by Starkey in the beginning of the book. It seems like almost every line has a deep relation to events that occur in the book and I thought this was fascinating so heres my thoughts:

• This suggests humans are unable to hear gods messages to them in modern times and are disconnected from religion, this is referenced a few times throughout the book.

• The idea the destruction of the world occured because of our modern habits that are opposed to nature such as pollution and waste. This is also referenced a few times in the book.

• This references the death of possible billions and the idea that captain trips destroyed all characters physically and mentally, completely upending there life. While forcing them, like Nick sending Tom Cullen away, to make tough decisions.

• This relates to how many of the good characters like Stu, Larry and Nick have no passion to lead but are forced into that position due to circumstance and their character. This contrasts with Randall Flagg's inherent anger and fury at the east and his need for death and destruction.

• This links to the idea that captain trips was viewed intially by some, like Nadine as some heavenly judgement and condemnation of the actions of humanity.

• Here "Spiritus Mundi" is reffering to a collective conciousness, this seems similiar to the almost universal dreams of evil (and good) that almost all the characters subconciously share.

• This clearly relates to the represantation of Randall Flagg as a thin human shell over some sort of pure evil demonic form, which is visible through his eyes. The lion body represents his fury, power and threating nature.

• This immediatly suggests death as a dying body is watched by birds waiting to peck at the corpse. But also this links to the references of crows and how Flagg's control of them to achieve his malcious goals.

• Babies are mentioned very often throughout the book, like at the end where Fran's son Peter is almost like the start of a new age.

*I don't know much about religion and poetry but I enjoyed the poem and thought the connections I saw were interesting enough to share. I will enjoy hearing your thoughts!