While there's no specific record of Bloom's reaction to Stephen King receiving an award, it's highly likely he would have been dismissive or critical.
Here's why:
* Bloom's Views on Popular Fiction: He famously dismissed popular fiction as "cultural junk food" and considered it a threat to the "serious" study of literature. Stephen King, as a highly successful author of horror and thriller novels, would likely have been categorized as a writer of popular fiction by Bloom.
* His Emphasis on the Western Canon: Bloom championed the works of classic authors like Shakespeare, Milton, and Dostoevsky, arguing that these authors were the true geniuses of literature. He likely wouldn't have considered King's work to be worthy of the same level of praise or recognition.
Therefore, it's safe to say that Harold Bloom would not have been impressed by Stephen King receiving an award reserved for geniuses. He would have likely considered it a sign of the decline of literary standards and a validation of "cultural junk food."
However, it's important to remember that this is a speculation based on Bloom's known views. We don't have a specific record of his reaction to this specific event.