Fear Maketh Man: The Influence of H. P. Lovecraft's Fears on His Work

Simona Kahajová

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

The content of this thesis will deal with the mentality of Howard Philips Lovecraft and how his chronic fear of the world has made Lovecraft one of the most respected authors of horror literature. His fear has influenced all aspects of his life, as well as his mindset, and has helped to create world-famous works which have been facing huge popularity in recent years. This thesis will discuss his fear and works, and prove that this fear was omnipresent and Lovecraft was able to use it to evoke the same sense of anxiety and fear of the unknown to its readers.

Abstract:

Obsah tejto bakalárskej práce sa bude zabývať mentalitou Howarda Philipsa Lovecrafta a tým, ako jeho chronický strach zo sveta spôsobil, že Lovecraft sa stal jedným z najuznávanejších autorov hororovej literatúry. Jeho strach ovplyvnil všetky aspekty jeho života, ako aj jeho zmýšľanie, a dopomohol k vzniknutiu celosvetovo známych diel, ktoré v posledných rokoch čelia obrovskej popularite. V tejto práci bude rozobraný jeho strach a diela, a dokázané, že tento strach bol všadeprítomný, a Lovecraft ho dokázal využiť na to, aby vo svojich čitateľoch vzbudil rovnaký pocit úzkosti a strachu z nepoznaného.

Keywords

H. P. Lovecraft, strach, Cthulhu, fóbia, kozmický strach, analýza textu, horror

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 11. 5. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Prof. Dr. phil. habil. Ewald Mengel

Tomas Bata University in Zlín

Faculty of Humanities

Bachelor programme / field:
Philology / English for Business Administration