Witch House Tale by HP Lovecraft The Witch House Tale is a short story by HP Lovecraft, a renowned author of horror fiction. In this particular tale, Lovecraft delves into the dark world of witchcraft and ancient curses. The story revolves around Walter Gilman, a student interested in the occult, who rents a room in an eerie house rumored to possess supernatural powers. **The main idea of the story is the exploration of ancient witchcraft and the consequences of meddling with such dark forces.** As Gilman settles into the room, he begins to experience strange phenomena, including bizarre dreams and unexplainable events. He soon discovers that the house is built on an ancient and sinister site linked to Salem witch trials.
Part of it is, I read it for the first time as a college student during spring term, and so I had some instant sympathy for poor Walter Gilman. Studying for exams is stressful enough without being abducted by long-dead witches and taken into other dimensions.
BTW, I am a descendant of Eastern-European immigrants to the northeast United States, rather like the ones Lovecraft treats with utter contempt in this tale. Η γριά μάγισσα Κεζάια με τους άγριους θρήνους και τα πλοκαμοφόρα τέρατα της υποχθόνιας διάστασης που σπάει τα έγκατα των τύμβων και ανεβαίνοντας το Βουνό της Καταιγίδας μας πηγαίνει σε έναν γαλαξία αρρωστημένων,ασαφών δαιμονίων συναισθημάτων, γεμάτο στοιχειωμένα δάση, απειλητικούς λόφους, και απόκρημνες αβύσσους ουρλιαχτών, παραφροσύνης και νοσηρότητας.
He soon discovers that the house is built on an ancient and sinister site linked to Salem witch trials. Gilman becomes obsessed with unlocking the secrets of the house, delving deep into research and practices of witchcraft. He becomes increasingly disturbed, losing touch with reality, and experiencing terrifying encounters with unearthly creatures.
manny's book of shadows
“The Dreams in the Witch House” first appeared in the July 1933 issue of Weird Tales.
Although often dismissed by critics, H.P. Lovecraft‘s The Dreams in the Witch-House is actually one of my favorite of his latter tales. I’ll admit that it is imperfect, but it is also admirable in it’s scope. Lovecraft mixes Gothic Horror with really high brow Sci Fi. And therein lies the problem. Lovecraft gets so technical and oblique in his descriptions of Walter Gilman’s night-time sojourns that it gets a bit distracting. Also, he introduces elements that don’t really pay off, like the mention of the Elder Things which goes nowhere or even the Black Man of the Witches (an avatar of Nyarlathotep) who never makes a proper appearance and is only glimpsed furtively running around with the witch, Keziah Mason, and her familiar Brown Jenkin. Then there is the all too familiar xenophobia creeping in with Lovecraft’s descriptions of the Polish immigrants, who are portrayed as brutish and uncouth.
Even so, I got a kick out of some of the scenes where Gilman sees Keziah and Brown Jenkin in the outer spheres either as weird geometrical congeries of bubbles and polyhedrons hinting at their earthly forms or when they are seen outright making cryptic hand gestures to guide Gilman to the desired portals into the dream dimensions. I also like the hints of how Keziah used her secrets culled from ancient tracts, like the Necronomicon, to find a way to escape Salem Gaol during the infamous Witch Trials of 1692. The horror elements of the tale are terrifying and very dark: witch’s Sabbaths, black books and child sacrifice, all told in a very effective and convincing way as only Lovecraft can do.
Variant title poster for Curse of the Crimson Altar (1968).
I think the tale has definite cinematic potential and indeed it has been adapted a couple of times before. First in the 1968 film Curse of the Crimson Altar, featuring the triple threat of Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee and my beloved Barbara Steele! It is a very loose adaptation however that, although entertaining, has very little to do with the source material. Stuart Gordon‘s 2005 Masters of Horror adaptation H. P. Lovecraft’s Dreams in the Witch House is much closer to the story, but still makes some notable changes. For starters, Gordon and co-writer Dennis Paoli eschew most of the Sci-Fi parts and only hint at the geometrical basis of the dream travel. They focus on the horror elements but change Gilman’s college buddy Frank Elwood to attractive single mother Frances Elwood, who is presented as a potential love interest, and whose baby ends up replacing little Ladislas Wolejko from the original tale in the final confrontation between Gilman and Keziah.
DVD cover for Masters of Horror 2005 adaptation by Stuart Gordon.
All in all, I think it’s a much more daring and ambitious tale than critics give it credit for. Even August Derleth was critical of it, which made Lovecraft a bit self conscious I think. For more on that, check out the Wikipedia entry here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dreams_in_the_Witch_House#Reception.
It remains, in my estimation, a great work of dark fantasy and I also think, given a thoughtful reworking, it could make a fascinating film.
Lovecraft masterfully builds suspense throughout the story, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. **Lovecraft's primary purpose in this tale is to invoke a sense of dread and mystery surrounding the occult.** Through vivid descriptions and atmospheric writing, Lovecraft paints a chilling picture of the Witch House, evoking a sense of unease and fear. The house itself is described as having peculiar angles and dimensions, giving it an otherworldly feel. Lovecraft's attention to detail draws readers into the story, making them feel as if they also inhabit the dark and foreboding house. **The central theme of the Witch House Tale is the dangers of curiosity and the consequences of delving into the occult.** As Gilman becomes consumed by his research, he discovers forbidden knowledge that takes a toll on his sanity. The tale serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the pursuit of forbidden knowledge and the potential dangers of meddling with forces beyond our understanding. In conclusion, the Witch House Tale by HP Lovecraft is a haunting and suspenseful exploration of witchcraft and the occult. Lovecraft's masterful storytelling and attention to detail create a chilling atmosphere that leaves readers on the edge of their seats. The main idea of the story is the exploration of ancient witchcraft and the consequences of meddling with such dark forces. Lovecraft's primary purpose is to invoke a sense of dread and mystery surrounding the occult. The central theme of the tale is the dangers of curiosity and the consequences of delving into the unknown..
Reviews for "The Madness of Witch Houses in HP Lovecraft's Dark Mythology"
1. [Review by Alex - 2 stars]
Unfortunately, "Witch House Tale" by H.P. Lovecraft fell short of my expectations. While I am a fan of Lovecraft's works, this particular tale lacked depth and failed to captivate me. The plot felt disjointed, and the characters lacked development. It seemed like Lovecraft was trying to explore the concept of witchcraft in a unique way, but the execution fell flat. The story lacked the eerie atmosphere that Lovecraft is known for, leaving me feeling unsatisfied as a reader. Overall, "Witch House Tale" was a disappointment and not one of Lovecraft's best works.
2. [Review by Sarah - 1 star]
I regret spending my time reading "Witch House Tale" by H.P. Lovecraft. The story was confusing, and I struggled to connect with the characters. Lovecraft's writing style felt convoluted, and the pacing was off. The supposed suspense and horror elements were poorly executed, leaving me frustrated and uninterested. I expected more from Lovecraft, whose works are generally revered in the genre. Unfortunately, "Witch House Tale" left me disappointed and disillusioned, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. [Review by Mark - 2 stars]
"Witch House Tale" by H.P. Lovecraft left me underwhelmed. The story lacked originality and failed to bring anything new to the table. Lovecraft's attempt at weaving witchcraft into the narrative felt contrived and forced. The characters were forgettable, and their motivations were unclear. Additionally, the pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. Lovecraft's vivid descriptions and atmospheric writing style, which are usually his strengths, appeared to be absent in this tale. Overall, "Witch House Tale" was a forgettable read that didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
4. [Review by Emily - 2 stars]
As a fan of H.P. Lovecraft's other works, I was excited to read "Witch House Tale." However, I found it to be a lackluster addition to his collection. The plot was uninteresting, and the pacing was uneven. The story failed to capture my attention, and it felt as if Lovecraft struggled to develop a coherent narrative. The horror elements that Lovecraft is known for were lacking in this tale, leaving me disappointed. While "Witch House Tale" had potential, it ultimately fell short and didn't satisfy my expectations as a Lovecraft fan.