H.P. Lovecraft’s Fascination in Supernatural Theories

H.P. Lovecraft’s fascination in supernatural theories plays into a main basis for his novels. (Wohleber) With the unknown lurking, Lovecraft incorporates horror through the use of psychological fear as a form of expression making it become crucial for many of his works. At the Mountains of Madness encompasses this thought by the expeditions before and after effects on the characters. The urge to be a success fills the scientists up with courage to embark on such a dangerous trip; however, after the trip the survivors, Danforth and Dyer, had lost all sense of sanity. “On our return Danforth was close to hysterics..promise to say shew our sketches or say anything.” (Lovecraft 176.) Their eyes couldn’t believe what was seen having them debate whether it was hallucinations or real. Ultimately this made them reach a decision where the world will not have to question their authority, for they will both keep their mouth shut. This novel expresses a psychological factor through the use of scientific theories showing the horror that lies beneath them.

As the novel’s need for explorations grows, the reader can notice the change throughout the settings and comfort of the scientists therefore growing the psychological build. “Certain influences in that of the unknown Antarctic world make it imperative that further exploration be discouraged.” (Lovecraft 201.) It took the plane crash, mountain, and labyrinth exploration for them to finally realize the dangers that lurked and prevented them from looking deeper. Being so excited about a trip to make discoveries so at the end it could all be terminated early makes one wonder what went on to all of a sudden stop searching. This is the psychological aspect that Lovecraft incorporates into his wor...

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...ived here before time. These concepts are scary to think of, not in physical way, but psychologically it makes wonder what if? Each one of his writings have some sort of cosmic indifferentism, black magic, or just theories of life before and on earth. Clearly this fascination in science made it an essential part of his writing style.

Works Cited

Burleson, Donald R. “Criticism by Donald R. Burleson.” DISCovering Authors. Online Ed Detroit: Gale,2003. Student Resource Center-Gold. Web. 9.Feb.2010.

Lovecraft, H.P. At the Mountains of Madness and Other Weird Tales. 1920. New York: Barnes and Nobles Inc, 2009. Print

Lovecraft, H.P. (1890-1937). UXL Biographies. Online Ed. Detriot: UXL, 2003 Student Resource Center-Gold. Web 3 Feb. 2010.

Wohleber, Curt. The Man Who Can Scare Stephen King. American Heritage 48.8 Dec. 1995: 82-91. General OneFile. Web. 2 Feb. 2010.