Just browsing the book today and I'm not sure exactly what this is. Can someone tell me! What does "firespot" mean in this passage? Here is the quote:


Chapter 26 Section 2:

At 10:30 AM on December 27, a thin man...Claysaid later that he notice what his mother had always called a "firespot" in one of the man's eyes.



Sorry to be so clueless here. I really am not getting what this is. Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance!

That's a good question. I don't remember that exact passage. Who's eye was the "firespot" in?

John's. He went into an office suppy company to get things. He's preparing to kill Stillson. Apparently the clerk is making a reference to either how John's eye looks (an anomaly?) or the look in his eyes as he is in the store. Either way, I am not sure about the meaning.

Hmmm...yeah, I can see that either way. I'm not sure. Sorry I can't be of more help. If I had to make a guess, I would say an anomaly, only because it is in one of his eyes. If it was a "look", wouldn't it be something in both of his eyes as well as something in body language, too? Did you google the word?

Yep, but nothing I can latch onto to understand.

Okay, here's maybe something to start with. I typed "Old Wives Tales into my search bar, and the first site I got had this under EYE: EYE
If your right eye twitches there will soon be a birth in the family. If the left eye twitches there will soon be a death in the family.
To cure a sty, stand at a crossroads and recite
Sty, sty, leave my eye
Take the next one coming by.

Doesn't John die in the book? Could his left-eye have been twitching? I know this sounds like really stretching it, but sometimes I really think Mr. King does just that!

I'll keep looking. Let me know if you find anything.

I wonder if either it is an anomaly that developed because of his brain tumor or it is an anomaly that means something like the "evil eye"?

Reading again in DZ book, King calls assassination, "The Big Casino"!!! Makes me think of all those gambling scenes!
Wait...Bruce always likes to gamble or teases at it! ACK!! Also, in FR1 Bruce couldn't deal with the thought of killing John if HE cause Armageddon?! But by the end of BC Bruce was saying something like, "If you're future self things [assassination] is the way to go....what's one life compared to saving many." <gulp...gag...faint>

Here's an idea. The "firespot" is a broken blood vessel in John's eye, resulting in a bright red spot. Couldn't a brain tumor cause a brain aneurysm, which leads to hemorrhaging of arteries? I've read that eyedoctors are often the ones to spot signs of increased intercranial pressure... or is that intracranial pressure? Well I forgot which it is, and I have no idea how medically plausible that is, but that's what I'm thinking the line could mean bratty.

(which reminds me, this board seriously needs a spellcheck feature!)

I think you're right, DG. I googled on 'firespot eye' and found a reference to the word in Tommyknockers, too, so King has used it before.

http://www.fictionbook.ru/author/king_step...mmyknockers.fb2

"..In the late spring, he began to complain of bad headaches. In June, a large firespot appeared on his right eye. X-rays revealed a brain tumor...."

Maybe this will be the key word to look for if Johnny ever really does develop a real brain tumor that won't miraculously heal. Hear that Mr. Writer! Use "FIRESPOT" and we'll know we've got a bonafide, OMG, brain tumor.

Hey, how about I e-mail AMH on the "5 questions" thingie and ask?!!

Eeeee, please no firespots for Johnny! <sob>

Oh I agree! But after this last little "miraculous healing" episode, I want proof of disease!