"Dreams in the Witch House" is a short story written by H.P. Lovecraft in 1932. The story follows the experiences of a university student named Walter Gilman, who takes up residence in a boarding house in Arkham, Massachusetts. The house he chooses to rent has a dark history, as it was once inhabited by an accused witch, Keziah Mason, who was rumored to have practiced supernatural rituals and disappeared mysteriously. As Gilman settles into his new room, the strange occurrences begin.
This volume is a companion to the other two Penguin Classics edition of Lovecraft’s work: The Call of the Cthulhu and The Thing on the Doorstep. This original collection presents the definitive texts of the work, including a newly restored text of “The Shadow out of time” along with S. T. Joshi’s invaluable introduction and notes.
Plagued by insane nightmare visions, Walter Gilman seeks help in Miskatonic University s infamous library of forbidden books, where, in the pages of Abdul Alhazred s dreaded Necronomicon , he finds terrible hints that seem to connect his own studies in advanced mathematics with the fantastic legends of elder magic. Plagued by insane nightmare visions, Walter Gilman seeks help in Miskatonic University s infamous library of forbidden books, where, in the pages of Abdul Alhazred s dreaded Necronomicon , he finds terrible hints that seem to connect his own studies in advanced mathematics with the fantastic legends of elder magic.
As Gilman settles into his new room, the strange occurrences begin. He hears strange noises in the walls and has vivid nightmares involving a sinister presence. These dreams transport him to another dimension, where he witnesses disturbing scenes and encounters grotesque and otherworldly creatures.
The Dreams in the Witch House
The dreams seem to be connected to the architecture of the room, with strange angles, non-Euclidean geometry, and hidden corners that seem to shift and change. In his waking hours, Gilman becomes increasingly obsessed with studying the history and folklore surrounding the witch, Keziah Mason. He learns that she was part of a group called the Order of the Dragon, who were suspected of practicing witchcraft and summoning otherworldly beings. As his research progresses, he discovers a connection between the mathematics of non-Euclidean geometry and the rituals practiced by the witches. As Gilman delves deeper into his investigations, he starts to question his own sanity. He becomes convinced that the dreams and visions he experiences are not merely hallucinations but glimpses into an alternate reality that exists alongside our own. He believes that the witch, Keziah Mason, had discovered a way to transcend dimensions and communicate with otherworldly beings. In the climax of the story, Gilman seeks assistance from a fellow student named Frank Elwood, who shares his interest in the occult and mathematics. Together, they perform a ritual to summon the beings that Gilman has been dreaming about. The ritual succeeds, and a grotesque creature materializes before them. However, the creature attacks Gilman and Elwood, resulting in their deaths. "Dreams in the Witch House" explores themes of forbidden knowledge, the dangers of delving too deeply into the supernatural, and the fragility of human sanity. Lovecraft's skillful descriptions and vivid imagery create a sense of unease and dread throughout the story. The fusion of mathematical concepts with ancient witchcraft lends an air of scientific plausibility to the supernatural elements, as Lovecraft often did in his works. Overall, "Dreams in the Witch House" is a chilling tale that showcases Lovecraft's ability to blend elements of horror, science fiction, and cosmic dread. The story continues to captivate readers and remains a testament to Lovecraft's unique and enduring contribution to the horror genre..
Reviews for "The Witch House as Metaphor: Unlocking the Symbolism in Lovecraft's Story"
1. Jane - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Dreams in the Witch House" by H.P. Lovecraft. The story lacked depth and the plot felt underdeveloped. The characters were flat and uninteresting, making it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive to the point of being tedious, which made it difficult to stay engaged in the story. Overall, I found this book to be lacking the suspense and horror that Lovecraft is renowned for.
2. Mark - 1/5
I couldn't finish "Dreams in the Witch House" by H.P. Lovecraft. The story felt convoluted and confusing right from the start. The constant shift between dream sequences and reality made it hard to follow and left me feeling disoriented. The pacing was also incredibly slow, with long stretches of nothing happening. The characters were forgettable and lacked any discernible motivation. I found this book to be a tedious and frustrating read.
3. Laura - 2/5
While "Dreams in the Witch House" by H.P. Lovecraft had its moments of atmospheric horror, I found the overall narrative disjointed and lacking coherence. The story jumped from one idea to another without a clear connection, making it difficult to follow. Lovecraft's writing style, although praised by many, felt overly verbose and archaic at times, making it hard to stay engaged. The climax of the story, which should have been the most intriguing part, fell flat and left me wanting more. Overall, this was not one of my favorite Lovecraft stories.