Marty Coslaw
Encyclopedia
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
. Coslaw, the primary protagonist
of both the novella and the film, is a paraplegic.
, including his father Herman, his mother, whose name is not given, his sister Kate, and his paternal grandfather. Herman, a physical education teacher, is always uneasy around Marty, as he sometimes sees Marty watching other children play sports. His mother refuses to spoil him, and Kate is especially jealous of him. His grandfather is described as being a run-of-the-mill grandparent. Although he has extended relationships with his immediate family and his grandfather, he is perhaps closest with his maternal Uncle Al, whose last name is not given.
kills a drifter, his third victim. Marty, unable to sleep, hears the wolf howling in triumph along with many other citizens in Tarker's Mills.
In July, after the Fourth of July fireworks
are cancelled, Marty coaxes his Uncle Al into giving him some illegal fireworks so that he can celebrate himself. After setting off his last true firework, Marty is attacked by the werewolf
, and manages to defend himself by throwing a bag of Black Cat firecracker
s into the monster's face, destroying its left eye. After the encounter, his perceptions of his family are changed, except for Al and his grandfather, the Maine State Police
believe he is suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome, and he is sent away to live with relatives in Stowe, Vermont
in fear of retaliation by the Full Moon Killer.
In October, on Halloween
, Marty goes trick or treating and discovers that the only person living in Tarker's Mills missing a left eye is Baptist
Reverend Lester Lowe
. Throughout the months of November and December, Marty sends Lowe threatening letters telling him to commit suicide
.
In December, Marty convinces his Uncle Al to melt down his confirmation spoon into two silver bullet
s. On New Year's Eve
, the werewolf
attacks Marty, who shoots him twice, completely blinding him and eventually killing him. Marty, Al, and Herman, who was oblivious to the plot to kill the werewolf, watch the now deceased monster transform into a deceased Reverend Lowe.
, Marty is introduced as having a strained relationship with his older sister, Jane. His best friend is also identified as being Brady Kincaid
, a rebellious youth. Marty was playing cards with his Uncle Red when Stella Randolph was killed.
His friend Tammy Sturmfuller lived next door to Stella, and he accompanied her home from school shortly after Stella's death, when she told him she had been hearing strange noises from her father's plant shed. That night, her father, Milt Sturmfuller, was killed in the shed.
Shortly thereafter, Marty went to fly kites with Brady. When it began to get dark, Marty was found by Jane and quickly hurried home. Brady, in an attempt to defy his parents, decided to stay out late, and was killed by the werewolf
.
In September, Marty is launching fireworks
, given to him by Red, when he is attacked by the werewolf
. Using a firerocket, Marty manages to blast out the werewolf's left eye.
After telling Jane and Red about his encounter, Jane goes on a bottle drive for the local Baptist
church, where she discovers that the only one-eyed person in Tarker's Mills is Reverend Lester Lowe
. After this, Marty begins sending Reverend Lowe letters telling him to kill himself. After telling him about the letters, Red becomes enraged. Later, Lowe attacks Marty with his car, although Marty manages to outrun him with the motorcycle/wheelchair built for him by Red. When he is trapped under a closed covered bridge
, Lowe tells Marty that he killed Stella so that she could not kill herself and be condemned to hell, and therefore that he himself cannot commit suicide
. Lowe also apologizes to Marty and tells him of his intentions to drown him in the river below before his plans are foiled by Elmer Zinneman, a passing farmer
.
After finding evidence of this encounter, Red goes to tell Sheriff
Joe Haller to investigate Lowe. Although Haller is extremely skeptical of Lowe, especially since Red told Haller about Marty's werewolf
theory, he is desperate for a suspect and proceeds to investigate Lowe where he is killed by him.
After this Marty and Jane convince Red to make them a silver bullet
. On Halloween
, Red tricks Marty's parents into going on a romantic trip to New York City
and volunteers to babysit the two children. That night, the werewolf
attacks. Red fights off the werewolf, and although he is thrown into a cabinet and severely beaten, Red manages to stab the werewolf with a woodstove poker, hit it with a block of wood
, protect the children, and avoid being killed. Marty shoots the werewolf with the silver bullet in the right eye, blinding and eventually killing him. The deceased werewolf transforms back into Reverend Lowe before their eyes. He was portrayed by Corey Haim
.
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. He appears in the novella
Novella
A novella is a written, fictional, prose narrative usually longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula Awards for science fiction define the novella as having a word count between 17,500 and 40,000...
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
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
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...
. Coslaw, the primary protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
of both the novella and the film, is a paraplegic.
Background information
Coslaw, 10, lives at home with his family in Tarker's Mills, MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, including his father Herman, his mother, whose name is not given, his sister Kate, and his paternal grandfather. Herman, a physical education teacher, is always uneasy around Marty, as he sometimes sees Marty watching other children play sports. His mother refuses to spoil him, and Kate is especially jealous of him. His grandfather is described as being a run-of-the-mill grandparent. Although he has extended relationships with his immediate family and his grandfather, he is perhaps closest with his maternal Uncle Al, whose last name is not given.
Role in the Novella
In March, during a power outage, the werewolfWerewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
kills a drifter, his third victim. Marty, unable to sleep, hears the wolf howling in triumph along with many other citizens in Tarker's Mills.
In July, after the Fourth of July fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
are cancelled, Marty coaxes his Uncle Al into giving him some illegal fireworks so that he can celebrate himself. After setting off his last true firework, Marty is attacked by the werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
, and manages to defend himself by throwing a bag of Black Cat firecracker
Firecracker
A firecracker is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound...
s into the monster's face, destroying its left eye. After the encounter, his perceptions of his family are changed, except for Al and his grandfather, the Maine State Police
Maine State Police
The Maine State Police is the state police agency for Maine, which has jurisdiction across the state. It was created in 1921 to protect the lives, property, and constitutional rights of the citizens of the State of Maine.-Vehicles:...
believe he is suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome, and he is sent away to live with relatives in Stowe, Vermont
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,339 at the 2000 census. Tourism is a significant industry.-Geography:...
in fear of retaliation by the Full Moon Killer.
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 goes trick or treating and discovers that the only person living in Tarker's Mills missing a left eye is 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 Lester Lowe
Lester Lowe
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...
. Throughout the months of November and December, Marty sends Lowe threatening letters telling him to 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...
.
In December, Marty convinces his Uncle Al to melt down his confirmation spoon into two silver bullet
Silver bullet
In folklore, the silver bullet is supposed to be the only kind of bullet for firearms that is effective against a werewolf, witch, or other monsters...
s. 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
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
attacks Marty, who shoots him twice, completely blinding him and eventually killing him. Marty, Al, and Herman, who was oblivious to the plot to kill the werewolf, watch the now deceased monster transform into a deceased Reverend Lowe.
Role in the Film
In the filmFilm
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, Marty is introduced as having a strained relationship with his older sister, Jane. His best friend is also identified as being Brady Kincaid
Brady 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 :...
, a rebellious youth. Marty was playing cards with his Uncle Red when Stella Randolph was killed.
His friend Tammy Sturmfuller lived next door to Stella, and he accompanied her home from school shortly after Stella's death, when she told him she had been hearing strange noises from her father's plant shed. That night, her father, Milt Sturmfuller, was killed in the shed.
Shortly thereafter, Marty went to fly kites with Brady. When it began to get dark, Marty was found by Jane and quickly hurried home. Brady, in an attempt to defy his parents, decided to stay out late, and was killed by the werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
.
In September, Marty is launching fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
, given to him by Red, when he is attacked by the werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
. Using a firerocket, Marty manages to blast out the werewolf's left eye.
After telling Jane and Red about his encounter, Jane goes on a bottle drive for the local 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...
church, where she discovers that the only one-eyed person in Tarker's Mills is Reverend Lester Lowe
Lester Lowe
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...
. After this, Marty begins sending Reverend Lowe letters telling him to kill himself. After telling him about the letters, Red becomes enraged. Later, Lowe attacks Marty with his car, although Marty manages to outrun him with the motorcycle/wheelchair built for him by Red. When he 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 Marty that he killed Stella so that she could not kill herself and be condemned to hell, and therefore that he himself cannot 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...
. Lowe also apologizes to Marty and tells him of his intentions to drown him in the river below before his plans are foiled by Elmer Zinneman, a passing farmer
Farmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
.
After finding evidence of this encounter, Red goes to tell 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 to investigate Lowe. Although Haller is extremely skeptical of Lowe, especially since Red told Haller about Marty's werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
theory, he is desperate for a suspect and proceeds to investigate Lowe where he is killed by him.
After this Marty and Jane convince Red to make them a silver bullet
Silver bullet
In folklore, the silver bullet is supposed to be the only kind of bullet for firearms that is effective against a werewolf, witch, or other monsters...
. 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...
, Red tricks Marty's parents into going on a romantic trip to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and volunteers to babysit the two children. That night, the werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
attacks. Red fights off the werewolf, and although he is thrown into a cabinet and severely beaten, Red manages to stab the werewolf with a woodstove poker, hit 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...
, protect the children, and avoid being killed. Marty shoots the werewolf with the silver bullet in the right eye, blinding and eventually killing him. The deceased werewolf transforms back into Reverend Lowe before their eyes. He was portrayed by Corey Haim
Corey Haim
Corey Ian Haim was a Canadian actor, known for a 1980s Hollywood career as a teen idol. He starred in a number of films such as Lucas, Silver Bullet, Murphy's Romance, License to Drive and Dream a Little Dream...
.