Environmental Concerns from the Page to the Screen: The Road and The Mist in Perspective

The publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring in 1962 triggered widespread concerns for the environment that eventually gave rise to environmental studies and ecocriticism. Writers of fiction presented frightening pictures- the result of the conflict between humans and the environment. Stephen King’s novels like The Mist and The Stand were quick to point out the catastrophic consequences that awaited the human race. Another novelist who voiced his concerns for the environment was Cormac McCarthy. Almost a reclusive figure, McCarthy won the Pulitzer Prize for the novel, The Road. Stephen King’s The Mist and Cormac McCarthy’s The Road share striking similarities; both the novels present the human community coming to terms with an Eco-catastrophe. Both the novels got adapted into motion pictures, which showcased the issues and concerns raised by the novelists before a wider audience. The Mist was released in 2007 and The Road hit the screens a couple of years later. With the release of the motion pictures, environmental concerns raised by Rachel Carson in Silent Spring and furthered by King and McCarthy had successfully made a foray into the world of digital media. During the latter stages of the 20th century, environmental concerns and studies had remained confined to print media, demonstrations, agitations and pamphleteering. With the publication of the novels like The Mist and The Road environmental concerns and issues gained mass appeal. This culminated with the release of the motion pictures, which managed to garner critical acclaim and presented before a diverse audience, the issues plaguing the human-nature relationship