You’ve seen the Easter eggs in the movies, but the books reveal: Pennywise isn’t the only cosmic entity in the story. There is another, and it is the key to everything
If you only watched the films of It: The Thingyou probably noticed the references: a LEGO turtle in the room Georgiea turtle swimming in the quarry where the Losers’ Club bathe. For those who haven’t read the work of Stephen Kingseem like just random details, perhaps symbolizing childhood or the slowness of evil in Derry. But the truth is much more complex.
In the books, the Turtle is not a Easter egg; She is one of the centerpieces of the entire universe of Stephen King and the key to understanding how Pennywise can be defeated. Far from being an ordinary reptile, she is a cosmic deity. We explain who this entity is and why it is so important to the saga below.
Who is Maturin the Turtle?
In the books, the Turtle has a name: Maturinan ancestral and divine being that exists outside our universe, on a plane called Macroverse (the same place where The Thing he came). He is, literally, a Turtle God.
According to the mythology of King, Maturin He is the creator of our universe. The story goes that he had a cosmic stomachache and threw up our reality. For being the creator, Maturin represents the Orderthe Creation and the Life. He is a benevolent force, but he is also described as incredibly ancient, slow, and, for the most part, dormant and indifferent to the dramas of the universe he created.
Pennywise’s natural enemy
The Thing (Pennywise) is also an entity of the Macroverseas old as Maturin. However, they are opposites and natural enemies:
- Maturin (The Turtle): It is Creation and Order.
- “The Thing” (Pennywise): It is Chaos and Consumption. It’s a crazy parasite that only knows how to destroy and feed on fear.
In the book, The Thing despises Maturinconsidering him an old and stupid being. Maturinin turn, sees The Thing like a dangerous and insane insect. The battle in Derry isn’t just about children against a monster; it is the earthly reflection of a cosmic war between two deities.
How the Turtle helps the Losers Club (in the book)
In the movies, the power to defeat Pennywise comes from friendship and mutual belief in Losers. In the book, this belief has a cosmic “source”: Maturin.
THE Turtle does not appear in Derry to fight put they. It acts indirectly. During the Chüd ritual (a psychic battle of wills that has been greatly simplified in the films), the consciousness of Bill Denbrough travels through Macroverse and find Maturin.
THE Turtlewho is usually asleep, wakes up enough to give the Bill The crucial advice: they can only win The Thing if they act with childish faith, unshakable belief and unity. Maturin gives them the knowledge to fight. The faith of Losers (which does Pennywise take the form of monsters like the Werewolf or the Mummy) only works because the belief itself is a cosmic force, a power that emanates from the Creator (Maturin).
Why does the Turtle (almost) not appear in the films?
The director Andy Muschietti chose to remove this complex mythology. The decision was to focus on the power to defeat The Thing entirely in the human strength of Losers: their friendship, loyalty and courage.
In films, the function of Maturin was transferred directly to children. They don’t need a turtle god telling them to believe; their own belief and unity becomes the magic weapon.
Therefore, the Turtle was demoted to Easter eggs: The appearances (in LEGO, in the quarry, in an aquarium) are a respectful nod to Muschietti to fans of the books, recognizing the importance of the original mythology, even if it wasn’t used on screen. Even in the prequel series It: Welcome to Derry There are already several moments when we see turtles scattered around the city of Derrycontinuing this tradition.
READ ALSO: Fact or Fiction: Everything you need to know about the reality behind ‘House of Dynamite’
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It: The Thing
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It: Welcome to Derry
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Stephen King
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
