A knocking at the door : Christian hope in the horror fiction of H. P. Lovecraft.

Mechanistic materialist H.P. Lovecraft spent his entire career writing supernatural horror fiction. This paradox occasions an exploration of horror and Christian hope in his fiction. The appeal of supernatural horror fiction in a culture which denies the supernatural demonstrates the fascinating nature of objects of Christian hope, even when represented as frightening or revolting. Lovecraft's stories contain such Christian elements as revelatory visions, bodily resurrection, radical transformation (conversion and glorification), a body of immortal beings transcending mortal history (the Church), and a longed-for "unveiling" (apocalypse). These elements, however, are depicted as horrible rather than hopeful, as Lovecraft attempts to suppress Christian hope even as he exploits its irresistible appeal. Lovecraft's pursuit of the fascinating, however, ultimately leads to stories in which the inversion is incomplete and Christian hope shines through. Stories examined include "The Outsider," "The Shadow Out of Time," "The Dunwich Horror," and "The Shadow Over Innsmouth."

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Epps, Peter G.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Wood, Ralph C.

• Lovecraft, H. P. (Howard Phillips), 1890-1937 -- Criticism and interpretation.
• Horror tales, American -- History and criticism.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14830

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14830