"Pennywise" / It It (novel)

described mysterious, eldritch demonic entity of evil, monster of unknown origin preys on derry s children , humans every twenty-seven years, stating finds fear in children akin salt(ing) meat . among powers shapeshifting form induces fear while killing victim, assuming form of middle-aged man dressed in clown costume, calling pennywise dancing clown , bob or robert gray, modeled after bozo, clarabell , ronald mcdonald.

it can manipulate people , use them pawns in doing bidding, either assuming form familiar them, promising them desires or through subliminal influence. because of control on happens in derry, many of child murders commits never solved; adults of derry act though either nothing happening or have forgotten it. true form perceived human eye of giant spider houses essence: namely writhing orange lights (termed deadlights ), looking directly can either kill person or drive them insane.

it s awakening , returns hibernation mark greatest instances of violence during time awake, such disappearance of on 3 hundred settlers derry township in 1740–43. in 1957, awoke during great storm flooded part of city, whereupon went on feeding spree, starting murdering georgie denbrough. however, losers club forced return hibernation when heavily wounded young bill denbrough in first ritual of chüd. story opens, has awakened approximately 27 years later , first seen when 3 bullies beat homosexual couple, adrian mellon , don hagarty.

it kills adrian after bullies throw him off bridge. when adult members of losers club gather, recognizes them threat , resolves drive them away both through illusions , controlling henry bowers, losers long-time childhood bully. bill, richie, beverly, eddie, , ben manage confront s spider form after arranges have audra in possession. destroyed in second ritual of chüd, , enormous storm damages downtown part of derry signify s death. in novel dreamcatcher , when mr. gray tries put worm in derry s water use of standpipe, no longer there due 1985 flood. in place memorial featuring cast-bronze statue of 2 children , plaque underneath, dedicated victims of 1985 flood , of it. plaque has been vandalized graffiti reading, pennywise lives .

the character has been named several outlets 1 of scariest clowns in film or pop culture.