"Dreams in the Witch House" is a horror short story written by H.P. Lovecraft in 1932. The story follows the character of Walter Gilman, a student of mathematics at Miskatonic University who rents a room in a boarding house in Arkham. This room is infamous for its dark history and strange occurrences. Gilman becomes fixated on a peculiar angle of the room, convinced it has sinister properties.
Rune masters also used runes in divination. One typical method was that, upon being asked a question by a supplicant, a rune master carved runes into shards of bark, which were then thrown upon the ground. The rune master randomly picked three pieces and used the symbols carved into them to answer the question. Likewise, runes could be etched onto pebbles to be placed in a bag, mixed, and dumped out. The answer would be taken from whichever stones landed face-up. Edred Thorsson's book "Futhark" explains that in the original Germanic and Norse languages, the words "rún" and "rúna" translated to "mystery" or "secret."
Tolkien was a devout Catholic, and as such there is often a question as to why he would insert runes into his works when the characters were often equated with pagan religions. Of course, I think to get a full picture of Odin, you d have to do a runic analysis of every single one of his kennings, and that would be an incredibly difficult feat.
Gilman becomes fixated on a peculiar angle of the room, convinced it has sinister properties. This angle seems to connect to another dimension, inhabited by strange entities and an ancient witch named Keziah Mason. As the story progresses, Gilman experiences vivid and terrifying dreams in which he visits this alternate dimension.
Ancient Runes Explained (And How They Influenced The Lord Of The Rings)
Nothing cries out wizardry, witchcraft, dragon-slaying, and magic swords more than ancient runes. These angular characters provide an archaic and mysterious ambience that is more than at home in almost any Advanced Dungeons & Dragons tome worth its ounce of fairy dust. Much of the modern conception of runes can be traced to the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. This author introduced modern readers to his version of ancient runes in "The Hobbit" and then "The Lord of the Rings." In both works, Tolkien uses runes as plot points, setting décor, and challenges to readers. Tolkien did more to spread the word about runes than any medieval academician.
J.R.R. Tolkien was a scholar of Middle and Old English and a master etymologist. He was very keyed-in on how language was transmitted, both in the Latin alphabet and runes. With that said, Tolkien's runes are not real runes but were inspired by the historic versions. This writing system is fascinating in its own right both for its unusual history and its ties to beliefs in magic. Let's look at how ancient runes developed and how they influenced the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
In his dreams, Gilman witnesses uncanny rituals performed by otherworldly creatures and participates in bizarre ceremonies. He also encounters Mason and her familiar, Brown Jenkin, a small creature with a human face and rat-like body. These dreams become increasingly horrifying, blurring the line between dream and reality. As Gilman delves deeper into the mysteries of the Witch House, he discovers that it is a place where dimensions intersect and ancient knowledge is preserved. He learns about the witch's pact with the entities from beyond and her dark rituals involving human sacrifice. Driven by fear and desperation, Gilman considers leaving the room and abandoning his academic pursuits. However, the room's angle continues to haunt him even outside of his dreams, trapping him within its supernatural influence. Ultimately, Gilman's fate is sealed as he succumbs to the witch's power and becomes a permanent resident of the dimensions beyond, joining the ancient beings in their terrifying rituals. "Dreams in the Witch House" explores Lovecraft's recurring themes of forbidden knowledge, cosmic horror, and an indifferent universe ruled by ancient and malevolent forces. The story also touches upon the fragility of human sanity and the blurring of reality and the dream world. Through vivid descriptions, Lovecraft creates a palpable sense of dread and unease, instilling a lasting impact on those who read it..
Reviews for "The Significance of Dreams and Reality in H.P. Lovecraft's "Dreams in the Witch House"
1. Jane - 2/5
I was highly disappointed with "Dreams in the Witch House" by H.P. Lovecraft. While the story had an intriguing concept, the execution fell flat. The narrative was confusing and lacked clarity, making it difficult to understand the events and their significance. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and failed to evoke any empathy or interest. Overall, this story lacked the depth and captivating writing style that Lovecraft is known for, making it a tedious read.
2. Mark - 1/5
"Dreams in the Witch House" failed to deliver any sense of horror or suspense that I associate with H.P. Lovecraft's works. The plot felt disjointed and lacked cohesiveness, leaving me confused and uninterested. The pacing was slow, and the story seemed to drag on without any real purpose. The characters were bland and forgettable, with no development or depth. Overall, this story was a letdown and did not live up to the reputation of Lovecraft's other works.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I found "Dreams in the Witch House" to be an underwhelming read. The story had potential, but it felt rushed and poorly developed. The writing style was choppy and lacked the atmospheric descriptions that typically immerse me in Lovecraft's stories. The characters were dull and lacked complexity, making it difficult to feel invested in their fate. Furthermore, the conclusion left me unsatisfied and wanting more. Overall, this was not one of Lovecraft's stronger works, and I would not recommend it to fans of his other stories.