Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot stands as a pivotal work in the horror genre, balancing traditional vampire lore with an exploration of deeper societal issues. While it exhibits some plotting flaws and occasional lapses in writing, the novel's narrative style and character development elevate it to a notable status. King's work not only achieved commercial success but also inspired a wave of imitators, although none have matched its suspense and narrative drive.

A Panoramic Narrative

King's expansive narrative approach in 'Salem's Lot allows for a rich tapestry of characters and themes. Drawing inspiration from a conversation about a modern-day Dracula, his childhood town, and Thornton Wilder's play Our Town, King constructs a vivid portrait of a small Maine town where people mysteriously vanish and potentially return as vampires. In his 2002 book On Writing, King described the novel as a "peculiar combination of Peyton Place and Dracula."

Conservative Undertones

The novel is deeply conservative, not just in its adherence to traditional vampire traits—nocturnal, undead, and malevolent—but also in its underlying themes. The death of small-town America is a central subtext, with no clear cause, allowing readers to interpret multiple conservative notions. The arrival of Barlow and Straker, foreign entities who spread corruption through their antique store, symbolizes external influences dismantling local values. This mercantile invasion critiques how foreign elements can disrupt and destroy American communities.

The Battle of Good and Evil

An epic religious struggle between good (white) and evil (black) forms another layer of the narrative. Father Callahan's encounters with the supernatural reveal his waning faith, ultimately paving the way for evil to triumph. King suggests that the decline in traditional religious beliefs and moral values contributes to the town's downfall, making this battle as much about spiritual integrity as it is about physical survival.

Exploring Sexuality

King boldly delves into themes of sex and sexuality, emphasizing the eroticism inherent in vampirism. Unlike Bram Stoker, King expands on the seductive nature of the vampire, infusing the attacks with a sexual charge that leaves victims both terrified and enthralled. Additionally, the relationship between Barlow and Straker is depicted as a cultured homosexual partnership, challenging 1970s norms and suggesting that such "deviations" could lead to the erosion of conventional values in small-town America.

Culturally Literate Narrative

King's narrative is steeped in cultural references, enhancing its depth and relatability. He nods to literary classics such as Dracula and Wallace Stevens's poem “The Emperor of Ice-Cream,” while integrating pop culture elements like cereal box vampires and horror films. Barlow’s delayed entrance in the novel is methodically foreshadowed, positioning his evil as an intrinsic part of American cultural fabric.

Legacy and Inspirations

Despite early intentions to write a direct sequel to 'Salem's Lot, King has not yet revisited the narrative in full novel form. However, he has extended the story's universe through the short story “One for the Road” and the inclusion of Father Callahan in the Dark Tower series. These works, alongside the traditional vampire tale “Night Flier,” continue to explore the themes and characters King introduced in 'Salem's Lot, underscoring the novel's enduring impact on horror literature.