8. Looking From the Outside In

At this point in the novel, people in the town aren't just becoming suspicious of the weird happenings in 'Salem's Lot, they are becoming suspicious of Ben Mears and anyone else they consider to be an outsider.

Parkins Gillespie actually went to Ben's place to investigate him, even though there was no evidence tracing him to the events going on in 'Salem's Lot. Ben's response to Parkins Gillespie's visit was honest and it expressed his irritation.

pg.112

"I'm just tired of being the stranger in town, getting pointed at in the streets, being nudged over in the library. Now you come around with this Yankee trader routine, trying to find out if I've got Ralphie Glick's scalp in my closet."

It just so happens that Ben Mears came to the town at the same time that Barlow and Straker did, which made him even more susceptible to judgment. Everyone was wondering why these two world travelers had come to the little town of 'Salem's Lot to open up shop. Although there was no physical or background connection between Barlow, Straker and Ben Mears, the three of them were automatically categorized as suspects because they were outsiders.

This element is crucial in how the plot turned out. The fact that Ben Mears was an outsider made it harder for the town to believe he was not a suspect, let alone, believe he was telling the truth about vampires living in town. There was nothing he could do to convince the town without looking like a complete crazy. So instead, he kept his mouth shut and ironically, wound up being the only one left standing besides Mark Petrie.