Lovecraft's Dreams in the Witch House H.P. Lovecraft's short story "The Dreams in the Witch House" is a captivating tale that combines elements of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Published in 1932, it is part of the influential Cthulhu Mythos, a shared fictional universe featuring cosmic horrors and ancient gods. The story follows Walter Gilman, a student of mathematics at Miskatonic University, who rents a room in an old house with a dark history. Strange occurrences begin to plague Gilman as he investigates the witch trials that took place in the infamous room centuries ago.
Strange occurrences begin to plague Gilman as he investigates the witch trials that took place in the infamous room centuries ago. Lovecraft masterfully weaves elements of witchcraft, mathematics, and alternate dimensions into the narrative, creating a sense of unease and dread. The witch, Keziah Mason, is depicted as having made a pact with elusive entities from beyond our universe.
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.
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.
This concept of otherworldly beings aligns with Lovecraft's larger mythos, where humans encounter ancient beings that defy conventional understanding. "The Dreams in the Witch House" is known for its exploration of non-Euclidean geometry, a concept that was revolutionary during Lovecraft's time. Gilman finds that certain angles and measurements in the house do not conform to standard geometry, leading him to question the very nature of reality. Lovecraft's use of mathematics adds a unique layer to the story, emphasizing the incomprehensible nature of the witch's powers. As Gilman delves deeper into the mysteries of the witch house, he experiences vivid and disturbing dreams. These dreams transport him to nightmarish dimensions, where he encounters terrifying entities and witnesses unspeakable horrors. Lovecraft's vivid descriptions and atmospheric prose contribute to the story's eerie ambiance, making it a truly chilling read. "The Dreams in the Witch House" tackles themes of forbidden knowledge, the fragility of the human mind, and the consequences of delving too deeply into the supernatural. Lovecraft's signature cosmic horror is at its peak in this story, as Gilman grapples with the unfathomable forces that lie beyond his understanding. In conclusion, Lovecraft's "The Dreams in the Witch House" is a captivating and terrifying tale that delves into the realms of witchcraft, mathematics, and otherworldly dimensions. It showcases Lovecraft's unique blend of horror and cosmic fiction, while exploring themes of forbidden knowledge and the consequences of probing the unknown. For fans of Lovecraft's work and the Cthulhu Mythos, this story remains a classic that continues to inspire and unsettle readers to this day..
Reviews for "Lost in Lovecraft's Witch House Dreams: A Psychological Analysis"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars
I was really looking forward to watching "Lovecraft Dreams in the Witch House" as I'm a huge fan of Lovecraft's works. However, I was thoroughly disappointed by the execution of this film. The storyline felt convoluted and messy, making it difficult to follow and comprehend the deeper meaning. The acting was also subpar, with performances that lacked depth and emotion. Overall, this film failed to capture the eerie and unsettling atmosphere that Lovecraft's stories are known for, making it a disappointment for fans like myself.
2. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars
I had high hopes for "Lovecraft Dreams in the Witch House," but unfortunately, it fell short in every aspect. The plot was incredibly disjointed and confusing, leaving me scratching my head throughout the entire film. The characters lacked development, making it difficult to care about their fates or become emotionally invested in the story. Additionally, the visual effects were cheap and poorly executed, further detracting from the viewing experience. Overall, this film failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.
3. Michael - 2.5 out of 5 stars
As a fan of Lovecraft's works, I was excited to see "Lovecraft Dreams in the Witch House." However, I found myself underwhelmed by the overall film. While the cinematography was visually appealing, the pacing was slow and dragged on for far too long. The scares and horror elements lacked originality and failed to elicit any genuine fear. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and left many loose ends unresolved. Overall, this film had potential but ultimately failed to deliver a truly captivating and horrifying Lovecraftian experience.