H.P. Lovecrafts Fiction - Einzelansicht

Largely neglected during his lifetime, H.P. Lovecraft's horror/weird fiction has seen an unparalleled trajectory of posthumous fame. His central tropes — such as elder gods seeking a return to power, cosmic indifference to human achievements, and individuals destroyed by the knowledge they pursue — have inspired not only countless writers and artists but also anything in popular culture from board games to heavy metal songs. More recently, philosophical inquiries, too, have found his fictional output stimulating. However, Lovecraft’s enormous contemporary prominence has also lent urgency to interrogations of his political views. Racism and xenophobia not only pervade his œuvre, but are also often constitutive of the horror his stories evoke. He remains a troublesome icon of horror and weird fiction, as widely derided as admired.

This reading-intensive class is intended as an introduction to Lovecraft's fiction. We will read a number of classic stories and sample some scholarly perspectives on his work. Students will practise close reading, formulate thesis statements, and reflect on their own reading experiences. Discussions will revolve around both political and aesthetic aspects of Lovecraft’s fiction.

We will use the Penguin Classics editions of Lovecraft’s fiction, edited by S.T. Joshi. Please purchase:

The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories (1999 or subsequent reprints). ISBN: 9780141182346.

The Thing on the Doorstep and Other Weird Stories (2001). ISBN: 9780142180037.

The Dreams in the Witch-House and Other Weird Stories (2004). ISBN: 9780142437957.

Additional material will be made available via Moodle.

Participants should be prepared to read a lot and to share their thoughts on the texts orally and in writing. Previous knowledge of Lovecraft in particular or horror/weird fiction in general is not required.