Pennywise the Dancing Clown is the main antagonist in Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel It, as well as its 1990 TV miniseries and 2017/2019 film adaptations. He is a shape-shifting monster who often takes the form of a sinister clown to lure children to their deaths. In the story, Pennywise emerges every 27 years to prey on the children of Derry, Maine before returning to hibernation.
The Losers’ Club, a group of outcast kids, battles Pennywise in 1958 and again in 1985. During their final confrontation in 1958, Pennywise utters a cryptic phrase before being defeated and falling into a deep slumber. This article will explore the possible meanings behind Pennywise’s ominous words.
What Did Pennywise Say?
In the 1958 climactic scene, the Losers chase Pennywise into the sewers underneath the abandoned Neibolt house. After wounding It with makeshift weapons, Pennywise stumbles and clings to a ledge above a deep pit, snarling at the children in desperation. Bill Denbrough, the leader of the Losers, steps forward and declares “You’re just a clown!” With his confidence shaken, Pennywise’s form begins fluttering in and out between his clown guise and a monstrous spider-like creature.
As Pennywise starts to lose his grip, he looks directly at Bill and chillingly says “Fear…is the heart of love. So I…will take your hearts!” He then lets go and falls screaming into the abyss below. Pennywise’s disturbing words hang ominously over the scene even after his apparent defeat.
The Meaning Behind the Quote
Pennywise’s quote has intrigued and disturbed readers for decades. But what could it actually mean? Here are some possible interpretations:
A Threat
On one level, Pennywise is simply making a sinister threat before his downfall. He has fed on the fear of Derry’s children, so he attempts one last act of psychological warfare against Bill and the Losers. By saying he will “take their hearts,” he means to kill them and consume their life essence. This is consistent with Pennywise’s behavior as a child-murdering monster.
An Ominous Prediction
Pennywise could also be making an ominous prediction – foretelling that even defeating him now does not mean he is gone forever. By connecting fear and love, and then declaring his intention to take their hearts, he is hinting that his evil will return as long as the Losers still have hearts capable of fear. This prediction of course comes true when It resurfaces in 1985.
A Statement on Human Nature
On a more philosophical level, Pennywise’s words reflect a perspective on the dual nature of human beings. He suggests there is an inextricable link between fear and love inside human hearts. Fear is an unavoidable part of loving others and being vulnerable to loss. Pennywise sees this vulnerability as a chance to prey on innocents. This offers a pessimistic view of the human condition which aligns with King’s frequent themes of struggling with internal/external darkness.
The Clown’s Own Fear
Ironically, some interpret the quote as actually being about Pennywise’s own fear. As an ancient cosmic evil, he arrogantly believes he is immune to human emotions. But when the Losers stand up to him, he realizes he feels fear – something he thought only humans experienced. So when he mentions fear and love, he is really describing his own surprise at feeling fear now that his power is threatened. If this theory is correct, it adds an extra layer of complexity and tragedy to Pennywise’s character.
Other Contextual Clues
Looking at other clues from Stephen King’s novel can provide more context about the quote:
Pennywise’s True Form
In the book, Pennywise’s true form is revealed to be a mass of destructive orange lights called the Deadlights. The Deadlights may represent primordial, cosmic fear – a counterpoint to the Turtle, another King creation that embodies creation and love. This suggests Pennywise’s speech about fear and love flows from his role as the incarnation of the Deadlights.
Bill’s Inner Fears
Earlier in the novel, Pennywise torments Bill by playing on his lingering trauma and guilt over his younger brother Georgie’s death. Pennywise claims Bill secretly wishes Georgie would return but also fears him, saying, “You want him back but you’re afraid… You love him but you fear him.” This connects to the later quote about fear and love.
The Ritual of Chüd
When battling Pennywise, Bill engages in the Ritual of Chüd – an ancient rite where two entities bite each other’s tongues and tell jokes to overcome fear. This ritual evokes the complicated boundary between fear and laughter, which also relates to Pennywise’s quote.
Conclusion
Pennywise’s disturbing words in the sewer scene remain open to interpretation even after all these years. They could be a threat, an omen, a philosophical statement or an insight into Pennywise’s own psychology. The quote summarizes the complex interplay between fear and love – a theme that runs throughout Stephen King’s horror epic as the children battle the embodiment of their deepest fears come to life. While we may never know Pennywise’s exact intentions, the quote provides a haunting punctuation to the creature’s downfall.