Carrie White is a shy, awkward high school girl living in a small town with her intensely religious and abusive mother. Carrie is ostracized and bullied by her classmates, particularly by the popular girls, Chris Hargensen and Sue Snell.
Carrie has a unique ability: telekinesis, which she discovers after experiencing her first period in a terrifying and confusing way, leading to further humiliation.
One night, the town's annual prom arrives, and Carrie is unexpectedly invited by Tommy Ross, a popular boy, leading to a momentary hope for acceptance.
However, Chris, fueled by resentment and jealousy, orchestrates a cruel prank against Carrie, involving pig's blood.
Humiliated and enraged, Carrie loses control and unleashes her telekinetic powers, unleashing a horrifying rampage that brings chaos and destruction to the prom.
The novel explores themes of:
* Teenage angst and social pressures: The constant bullying and ostracization Carrie faces highlights the harsh realities of high school and the dangers of social isolation.
* Religious extremism and its consequences: Carrie's mother, a devout fundamentalist, represents the dangers of religious extremism and its impact on her daughter's life.
* The power of fear and anger: The novel shows how fear and anger can escalate into violence and destruction, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
Carrie's story is a cautionary tale about the importance of empathy, acceptance, and the destructive nature of unchecked rage. It also delves into the themes of isolation, bullying, and the complexities of human nature.