Lester Lowe
Encyclopedia
Lester Lowe is a fictional character
in the Stephen King
universe
. He appears in the novella Cycle of the Werewolf
and the film Silver Bullet
. The story and plight of Lowe is inspired by the ancient folklore
tale of the Werewolf Priest, although Lowe himself is actually a Baptist
reverend.
about Spring and God's love.
In May, Lowe has a dream that he is preaching on Homecoming Sunday, the next day, and that he is giving the sermon of his life. Then, his congregation begins to transform into werewolves. As Lowe continues to preach, his words turn to snarls and he also transforms. After he awakes, he goes to his window half-suspecting to see the werewolf. He then says a prayer
, asking for forgiveness for his superstitious lapse and goes back to sleep. The next day, he finds Clyde Corliss, a janitor
, gutted on the pulpit
.
In October, on Halloween
, Marty Coslaw
goes trick-or-treating
looking for someone missing a left eye. He finds Lowe, although he does not know he has been discovered.
In November, Lowe realizes that he is the werewolf. After his dream in May, Lowe began realizing that he had missing clothing and bruises he could not account for. In June, he awoke with blood on his hands and lips. In July, he awoke missing his left eye, although there was no pain. Lowe begins rationalizing his curse by telling himself that all things serve the will of God, and begins to go insane. In November, Marty began sending Lowe unsigned letters telling him to kill himself. Lowe decides to begin listening to gossip to discover who he attacked in July, as he has no memory of his actions in the Beast state. Meanwhile, Elmer Zinneman began leading a group of vigilante
s into the woods to kill the werewolf. Lowe begins to feel the change coming, as his words turn to grunts, he begins to hunch when he walks, his brown eyes turn green, he grows a full beard, and his chest expands. To avoid the hunters, he travels to Portland, Maine
where he purchases a hotel room. Milt Sturmfuller purchases the adjacent room, where he cheats on his wife
Donna Lee. When Sturmfuller exits the room, he is decapitated by the werewolf.
In December, Marty signs the last two letters he sends to Lowe. On New Year's Eve
, the werewolf attacks Marty in his home. Unbeknownst to Lowe, however, Marty convinced his maternal Uncle
Al to melt down his confirmation spoon into two silver bullets. Marty shoots the werewolf twice, blinding and killing him. He transforms back into a deceased Reverend Lowe in front of Al, Marty, and Herman Coslaw.
's funeral
, telling the mourners that the time of the Beast always passes. When the vigilantes go hunting for the killer, Lowe attempts to dissuade them along with local Sheriff
Joe Haller, though they both fail. Shortly thereafter, Lowe has a dream that his congregation transforms into werewolves. In September, after Marty Coslaw blasts the werewolf's eye out with a fire rocket, his sister Jane discovers that Lowe is the only person in town missing a left eye.
Marty begins sending Lowe letters telling him to kill himself. After the siblings tell their maternal Uncle Red about the letters, Lowe tries to run Marty, who is driving his motorcycle
/wheelchair
, off the road with his car. When Marty is trapped under a closed covered bridge
, Lowe tells him that he killed Stella Randolph so that she could not commit suicide
and go to hell
, and that therefore he cannot kill himself. Lowe then apologizes and tells Marty that he is going to drown him in the river when Marty is unwittingly saved by Elmer Zinneman.
When Red discovers evidence proving the car chase, he tells Haller to investigate Lowe. Although Red admits that he has his doubts, and Haller does not believe Lowe to be a killer, he is desperate for a suspect. While investigating Lowe, Haller is shocked to discover evidence that at least some of Marty's story is true. Just then, he discovers Lowe who had locked himself in his garage. Lowe tells Haller that it is not his fault, transforms, and kills him.
In October, on Halloween, the werewolf attacks Marty. Unbeknownst to Lowe, Marty and Jane have convinced Red to make them a silver bullet. Red stabs the werewolf with a woodstove poker and hits it with a block of wood
, but is severely beaten. Marty shoots the werewolf in the right eye, blinding and killing him. He transforms into a deceased Reverend Lowe before their eyes.
He was portrayed by Everett McGill
. McGill was paid for a dual role, as he was officially credited as both Reverend Lester Lowe and the werewolf.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
universe
Universe
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
. He appears in the novella Cycle of the Werewolf
Cycle of the Werewolf
Cycle of the Werewolf is a short horror novel by Stephen King, featuring illustrations by renowned comic book artist Bernie Wrightson. Each chapter is a short story unto itself. It tells the story of a werewolf haunting a small town as the moon turns full once every month...
and the film Silver Bullet
Silver Bullet (film)
Silver Bullet is a 1985 horror film based on the Stephen King novella Cycle of the Werewolf. It stars Gary Busey, Everett McGill, Megan Follows, Corey Haim, Terry O'Quinn, Lawrence Tierney, Bill Smitrovich, Kent Broadhurst, David Hart, and James Gammon...
. The story and plight of Lowe is inspired by the ancient folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
tale of the Werewolf Priest, although Lowe himself is actually a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
reverend.
Role in the novella
Lowe first appears in the novella in April preaching a sermonSermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
about Spring and God's love.
In May, Lowe has a dream that he is preaching on Homecoming Sunday, the next day, and that he is giving the sermon of his life. Then, his congregation begins to transform into werewolves. As Lowe continues to preach, his words turn to snarls and he also transforms. After he awakes, he goes to his window half-suspecting to see the werewolf. He then says a prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
, asking for forgiveness for his superstitious lapse and goes back to sleep. The next day, he finds Clyde Corliss, a janitor
Janitor
A janitor or custodian is a professional who takes care of buildings, such as hospitals and schools. Janitors are responsible primarily for cleaning, and often some maintenance and security...
, gutted on the pulpit
Pulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
.
In October, on Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
, Marty Coslaw
Marty Coslaw
Martin Coslaw is a fictional character in the Stephen King universe. He appears in the novella Cycle of the Werewolf and the film Silver Bullet...
goes trick-or-treating
Trick-or-treating
Trick-or-treating or "Guising", is a customary practice for children on Halloween in many countries. Children in costumes travel from house to house in order to ask for treats such as candy with the question "Trick or treat?"...
looking for someone missing a left eye. He finds Lowe, although he does not know he has been discovered.
In November, Lowe realizes that he is the werewolf. After his dream in May, Lowe began realizing that he had missing clothing and bruises he could not account for. In June, he awoke with blood on his hands and lips. In July, he awoke missing his left eye, although there was no pain. Lowe begins rationalizing his curse by telling himself that all things serve the will of God, and begins to go insane. In November, Marty began sending Lowe unsigned letters telling him to kill himself. Lowe decides to begin listening to gossip to discover who he attacked in July, as he has no memory of his actions in the Beast state. Meanwhile, Elmer Zinneman began leading a group of vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
s into the woods to kill the werewolf. Lowe begins to feel the change coming, as his words turn to grunts, he begins to hunch when he walks, his brown eyes turn green, he grows a full beard, and his chest expands. To avoid the hunters, he travels to Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
where he purchases a hotel room. Milt Sturmfuller purchases the adjacent room, where he cheats on his wife
Infidelity
In many intimate relationships in many cultures there is usually an express or implied expectation of exclusivity, especially in sexual matters. Infidelity most commonly refers to a breach of the expectation of sexual exclusivity.Infidelity can occur in relation to physical intimacy and/or...
Donna Lee. When Sturmfuller exits the room, he is decapitated by the werewolf.
In December, Marty signs the last two letters he sends to Lowe. On New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
, the werewolf attacks Marty in his home. Unbeknownst to Lowe, however, Marty convinced his maternal Uncle
Uncle
An uncle is a type of familial relationship.Uncle may also refer to:* Uncle , by J. P. Martin* U.N.C.L.E., a fictional organization in the TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E....
Al to melt down his confirmation spoon into two silver bullets. Marty shoots the werewolf twice, blinding and killing him. He transforms back into a deceased Reverend Lowe in front of Al, Marty, and Herman Coslaw.
Role in the film
In the film, Lowe is first seen in Spring speaking at a town gathering. He is next seen speaking at Brady KincaidBrady Kincaid
Brady Kincaid is a fictional character in the Stephen King universe. He appears in the novella Cycle of the Werewolf and the film Silver Bullet.- Role in the Novella :...
's funeral
Funeral
A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
, telling the mourners that the time of the Beast always passes. When the vigilantes go hunting for the killer, Lowe attempts to dissuade them along with local Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
Joe Haller, though they both fail. Shortly thereafter, Lowe has a dream that his congregation transforms into werewolves. In September, after Marty Coslaw blasts the werewolf's eye out with a fire rocket, his sister Jane discovers that Lowe is the only person in town missing a left eye.
Marty begins sending Lowe letters telling him to kill himself. After the siblings tell their maternal Uncle Red about the letters, Lowe tries to run Marty, who is driving his motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
/wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
, off the road with his car. When Marty is trapped under a closed covered bridge
Covered bridge
A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...
, Lowe tells him that he killed Stella Randolph so that she could not commit suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
and go to hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
, and that therefore he cannot kill himself. Lowe then apologizes and tells Marty that he is going to drown him in the river when Marty is unwittingly saved by Elmer Zinneman.
When Red discovers evidence proving the car chase, he tells Haller to investigate Lowe. Although Red admits that he has his doubts, and Haller does not believe Lowe to be a killer, he is desperate for a suspect. While investigating Lowe, Haller is shocked to discover evidence that at least some of Marty's story is true. Just then, he discovers Lowe who had locked himself in his garage. Lowe tells Haller that it is not his fault, transforms, and kills him.
In October, on Halloween, the werewolf attacks Marty. Unbeknownst to Lowe, Marty and Jane have convinced Red to make them a silver bullet. Red stabs the werewolf with a woodstove poker and hits it with a block of wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
, but is severely beaten. Marty shoots the werewolf in the right eye, blinding and killing him. He transforms into a deceased Reverend Lowe before their eyes.
He was portrayed by Everett McGill
Everett McGill
Everett McGill is an American actor, best known for mostly playing villains in films like Licence to Kill, Silver Bullet, Dune, Yanks and Under Siege 2: Dark Territory.-Life and career:...
. McGill was paid for a dual role, as he was officially credited as both Reverend Lester Lowe and the werewolf.