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 Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 8:01 am
H.P. Lovecraft The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. These facts few psychologists will dispute, and their admitted truth must establish for all time the genuineness and dignity of the weirdly horrible tale as a literary form. Against it are discharged all the shafts of a materialistic sophistication which clings to frequently felt emotions and external events, and of a naïvely insipid idealism which deprecates the æsthetic motive and calls for a didactic literature to "uplift" the reader toward a suitable degree of smirking optimism. But in spite of all this opposition the weird tale has survived, developed, and attained remarkable heights of perfection; founded as it is on a profound and elementary principle whose appeal, if not always universal, must necessarily be poignant and permanent to minds of the requisite sensitiveness. Read. Opinionate. Discuss. Fiat.
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Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:24 am
Um. Lemme read that again to try and understand it. I thought I had a big vocabulary... Elfy just got cut down about 600 notches. sweatdrop
I agree that supernatural and terror stories are huge in modern literature. I mean, come on, look at Stephen King. He's famous for his horror stories.
I also think there's something in all of us that just likes being scared. The adrenaline rush when you see the doorknob turn... the cold sweat breaking out that leaves you shivering with fear... thrillseekers look for it all the time. And in literature is where us city-bound people can find it.
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Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 7:39 pm
That is a good quote. The intrigue found in supernatural horror fiction is a lure to people not yet with an interest in fiction, and it enthralls those already immersed in the literature topic. The reason I became a writer was to learn how to create such intrigues in my fiction and emulate the other great horror and sci-fi authors.
So yeah, I love all novels about the weird, wacky, and frightening. ninja
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Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:11 pm
I like Lovecraft and all, but Poe discovered all that first. wink I think the sublime describes the sensation horror novels bring, because it's not all fear--there's an attraction toward what we're afraid of, and pleasure in being scared.
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:43 am
Even Lovecraft recognizes Poe's amazing aptitude of atrociousness.
( I challenge you to an aliteration altercation! )
But others came before Poe. Have you read the essay? It is nigh-required. 3nodding
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 10:07 am
H.P. Lovecraft Cosmic appears as an ingredient of the earliest folklore of all races, and is crystallised in the most archaic ballads, chronicles, and sacred writings. Let's discuss not just horror, but the supernatural variety. Fear of the unknown type of stuff.
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