Clown in Stephen King novel comprehending the origins of depravity in ourselves (5)
I believe the answer is:
idiot
'clown' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'stephen king novel comprehending the origins of depravity in ourselves' is the wordplay.
'stephen king novel' becomes 'it' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'comprehending' indicates putting letters inside (comprehend can mean include or contain).
'the origins of' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'depravity in ourselves' is 'dio'.
'it' placed around 'dio' is 'IDIOT'.
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for idiot that I've seen before include "Blockhead" , "Steal small amount" , "Ass, ninny" , "Silly person or dimwit" , "Fool, silly person" .)