Beyond the mountain of madness : a look at the shared themes of Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft

There are many great names in gothic literature and this essay will deal with two of them: Edgar Allan Poe and the modern master of weird fiction Howard Philips (H.P.) Lovecraft. Lovecraft has more in common with Edgar Allan Poe in terms of themes than many critics have recognized and although he is not a disciple of Poe’s treatment of psychological horror he has been inspired by Poe. Their general fiction is seemingly not much alike when first examined: with Edgar Allan Poe exploring dark minds and Lovecraft creating an ancient alien threat but many of their themes are shockingly alike. This essay will be looking at some of those distinguished themes that both Poe and Lovecraft include in their nightmarish stories. The themes of insanity, death and the gothic setting are some of the most obvious and strongest aspects the both authors share in their works and by analyzing them it will be evident that Lovecraft is a true master of weird fiction and not just a shadow of the praised and enlightened Poe.Validerat; 20101217 (root