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THE HARM IN KNOWING: THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSPECTIVE AND THE DANGERS OF KNOWLEDGE IN H.P. LOVECRAFT

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Date Issued:
2022
Abstract/Description:
H. P. Lovecraft has been a significant influence in horror fiction, but most of the attention paid to Lovecraft’s work focuses on his Cthulhu Mythos. This thesis examines a group of fantasy stories from Lovecraft’s Dream Cycle, overlooked in favor of his horror tales. I argue these stories merit attention for their presentation of an ideological conflict central to much of Lovecraft’s work: reality, knowledge, and science vs. fantasy, imagination, and dreams. Lovecraft demonstrates the limitations and importance of one’s perspective, illustrating the need to be flexible in one’s beliefs and viewpoints. I also argue that this understanding of perspective encourages alternative readings of Lovecraft’s other work, as well as enabling a greater understanding of horror and fear of the unknown.
Title: THE HARM IN KNOWING: THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSPECTIVE AND THE DANGERS OF KNOWLEDGE IN H.P. LOVECRAFT.
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Name(s): Dane, Cherokee, author
Miller, Timothy S. , Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of English
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2022
Date Issued: 2022
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 64 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: H. P. Lovecraft has been a significant influence in horror fiction, but most of the attention paid to Lovecraft’s work focuses on his Cthulhu Mythos. This thesis examines a group of fantasy stories from Lovecraft’s Dream Cycle, overlooked in favor of his horror tales. I argue these stories merit attention for their presentation of an ideological conflict central to much of Lovecraft’s work: reality, knowledge, and science vs. fantasy, imagination, and dreams. Lovecraft demonstrates the limitations and importance of one’s perspective, illustrating the need to be flexible in one’s beliefs and viewpoints. I also argue that this understanding of perspective encourages alternative readings of Lovecraft’s other work, as well as enabling a greater understanding of horror and fear of the unknown.
Identifier: FA00014016 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (MA)--Florida Atlantic University, 2022.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Lovecraft, H. P. (Howard Phillips), 1890-1937
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014016
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
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Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.