The Running Man

Historical Context and Significance

"The Running Man" by Stephen King, written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, is a dystopian novel that explores themes of totalitarianism, societal control, and media manipulation. Published in 1982, it anticipated many modern realities, such as the influence of television and reality shows on public consciousness. The novel's impact on culture is evident in its critique of consumer society and media, as well as its surprisingly accurate predictions about the future. The book also inspired a film of the same name starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, which, although different from the book, helped popularize the idea of dystopias in mass culture.