Castle Rock in Stephen King's novels is a very distinct setting. It has a certain atmosphere that is both claustrophobic and menacing. The town is often filled with characters who have their own secrets and inner demons. It's not just a physical location but also a psychological one. King uses it to explore themes like the darkness within human nature, the power of the past, and the thin line between the normal and the supernatural. For instance, in 'The Dead Zone', Castle Rock plays a role in the overall sense of unease and the unfolding of the story's prophetic and disturbing events.
Well, Castle Rock is like a microcosm of the horror that Stephen King likes to explore. It's a place with a complex web of relationships among its residents. The town itself seems to have a sort of malevolent energy. In 'Cujo', Castle Rock is part of the backdrop where the terrifying events unfold, and it gives a sense of isolation and dread, as if the town is cut off from the normal world and is a breeding ground for the horror that King creates.