"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.
Description: A week-long celebration which begins with the building of Sukkah for sleep and meals; Sukkot is named for the huts Moses and the Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert before reaching the promised land.
Religious observances allow the university to reflect on and practice the values that we as a campus community openly espouse, including sensitivity and respect for all cultures and religions. Religious observances allow the university to reflect on and practice the values that we as a campus community openly espouse, including sensitivity and respect for all cultures and religions.
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.
Interfaith Calendar
Religious observances allow the university to reflect on and practice the values that we as a campus community openly espouse, including sensitivity and respect for all cultures and religions. We are a community that embraces our diversity and encourages the celebration of multicultural traditions.
This resource includes dates, descriptions and information about some of the many religious holy days celebrated by faculty, staff and students at St. Cloud State. Also included with many are recommended accommodations to assist with planning classroom activities and other academic and co-curricular events.
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 Gothic Horror Elements in "Dreams in the Witch House" by H.P. Lovecraft"
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.