Carrie began as a short story, but King tossed the first few pages in the garbage can. His wife fished the pages out of the trash and encouraged him to finish the story, saying that she would help him with the female perspective. He followed her advice and expanded it into what would become his first published novel.

Carrie White is a shy 16-year-old girl who lives with her fanatically religious and abusive mother, Margaret.

Carrie experiences her first menstrual period as she showers after gym class. She panics, not understanding what is happening, but the other girls just laugh and pelt her with tampons. A light bulb mysteriously breaks as Carrie reaches the height of her panic.

Bates High School is named after the famous fictional serial killer, Norman Bates from the 1960 film, Psycho.

When she's called to the principal's office, Carrie becomes frustrated at both the cigarette smoke emanating from an ashtray and at the principal repeatedly calling her "Cassie". The ashtray inexplicably flips off his desk and shatters.

Margaret uses fake Bible quotes to rant about menstruation being the result of sinful thoughts. She locks Carrie in a small, specially-decorated "prayer closet" and forces her to pray for forgiveness.

Carrie flips through many library cards before she finally decides on The Secret Science Behind Miracles. Although this scene is relatively brief, Carrie learns that her powers are real and she's also not the only person who has them.

Mr. Fromm reads a poem written by Tommy and offers the class an opportunity to critique it. However, when the teacher begins putting too much into Carrie's calling the poem "beautiful," Tommy draws fire away from her in his own way.

Carrie's classmate Sue feels guilty for participating in the locker room antics, so she convinces her boyfriend--the handsome and popular Tommy--to invite Carrie to the upcoming prom.

Having researched her telekinesis, Carrie asserts her power and stands up to her mother. Margaret responds by accusing Carrie of being a satanic witch.