At The Mountain Of Madness

What is common between most horror films and texts? They all use similar types of codes and conventions. These codes and conventions differ between genre and can be easily identified. These also reflect the values of the audience they are intended for. The 1993 stop-motion animated film, ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’, directed by Henry Selick, and the 1845 poem, ‘The Raven’, written by Edgar Allan Poe, are both a part of the horror genre, as they follow the codes and conventions of that genre. They use similar visuals, sounds, characterisation, and themes. Using these and other conventions, audiences can identify a genre, which influences their opinions and feelings about the genre.

How could someone become famously known as an author if they have never even written a book in their lifetime? Well, the acceptance of H. P. Lovecraft as an important American writer, and as the finest exponent of dark fantasy or (Lovecraftian horror) since Poe, has not come quickly or easily. Much of this neglect was due to the rejection of “pulp” writers. The primary outlet for his stories was “Weird Tales”, a pulp magazine whose circulation barely reached twenty thousand a month although its influence on horror fiction has been enormous. His two most famous works were “The Outsider” and “The Call Of Cthulhu,” who’s contributions to the supernatural horror genre and original approach to dark fantasy revitalized the genre and influenced every important new writer in the field. (Charles 1)

In every time period there is always a writers that dominates a certain genre. These individuals are masters in their fields and can evoke the deepest feeling in their readers. There are many of these writers in every generation for every genre. In the field of horror two writers should spring to everyone's mind. Edgar Allen Poe and Stephen King. Both writers have made their marks in literature for exploring the darker sides of imagination producing writings that can leave readers shaken from freight. Although both authors are from different time periods they have similarities in writing that shows their skills.

Horror is the genre that keeps the reader on their toes for nights upon end. It keeps them thinking. Thinking about how cruel and disturbing someone, or something, could possibly be. Thinking about what in the world happens to a character after the story drops off in a cliffhanger. Thinking about the probability that the events in the narrative could transpire in real life. Thinking about how likely it is for those things to happen to the reader. Refusing to look out their window in fear of seeing the glimpse of a murderous face, and listening to every sound with acute accuracy, praying that the noise is not one of a stranger creeping up the stairs. Scary accounts make the reader live in fear whenever the

Horror, what is it, according to literary historian J.A. Cuddon, it is “a piece of fiction in prose of variable length…which shocks or even frightens the reader, or perhaps induces a feeling of repulsion or loathing.” This sets the guidelines for how the generic horror piece is written, as long as it can scare the reader in one sense or the other, or cause them to loath a certain part or character, then it can be called horror. The horror today has roots stemming from old folklore and religious traditions which had elements that dealt with death, the afterlife, and the demonic, along with the things or thing that embody a person. Horror during the 18th century was called gothic horror and this particular type of horror was invented in the

make an independent decision to buy a movie ticket and sit in a theatre. King goes on the

Gothic literature contains many thematic elements such as horror, death, and even at times romanticism. This type of literature incorporates various different elements, in order to evoke the emotions of terror. There are many authors who are extremely talented and are still remembered and read in classrooms today. These are authors like Edgar Allan Poe, best known for his mysterious poems and short stories, Richard Matheson and Horacio Quiroga, who have all incorporated psychological problems and violence themes in their short stories in order to fascinate the readers and add suspense to the story. These three gothic authors correlate the themes of violence and the psychological/ mental issues in order to depict anticipation and terror

If one cannot maintain and rule their fear, then one cannot move forward. Even then in some cases, they may self-destruct. Within his text, ‘The Music of Erich Zann’, Lovecraft plays heavily on the theme of fear through a musician whose paranoia leads to a self-destructing spiral into madness, and the protagonist who witnesses first-hand. Fearful memories are often forgotten in order to protect the human mind, and maintain an individual’s sanity. Three elements of the story illustrate the fears of the character

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most influential writers of the horror genre in American history. His horror stories have impacted numerous authors and their stories over the years. Various people have tried to copy his way of writing style, but they have failed to achieve the success he did. Even though Poe is no longer living, his impact on American literature can still be felt today.

Howard Phillip Lovecraft was known after his death as being a significantly influential horror fiction writer. One of the works that Lovecraft is known for is the The Alchemist and it is one of the many stories he has written that has influenced many other writers like John Carpenter. Carpenter is the director for the movie In the Mouth of Madness which was influenced by the Lovecraft’s theme cosmic indifferentism. In both works one can see the development of a hero in a horror genre story.

The Lovecraft Bar in Portland, Oregon is a tribute to the prolific horror fiction author H.P. Lovecraft. This bar provides a whole world of Lovecraft horror experience and much more. True to its theme, the walls of the horror themed dance bar are painted jet black with severed doll heads and skeletons poking out. The place is decorated with an eight foot tall statue of Cthulhu- a creepy character created by Lovecraft along with several other spooky statues and artworks. Additionally, it hosts a number of themed parties, live music, tarot reading, reading by authors

Genre is a French word meaning ‘type or ‘kind’ (Genre, 2016). The film industry has been around for at least 100 years. The evolution of entertainment is growing rapidly through the use of media. And as these years go on, films have begun to fit into specific genres, and are important to appeal to the different types of audiences. Films can be described to genre in different types of ways, such as stars, director and narrative to help identify what genre the film is (Neale, 1990, pg. 49). Genre in films has become common because it helps give the audience a different expectation. One specific genre of film is a horror. Horror is a genre that tries to create, panic, dread and fear for the audience.

The Supernatural part in Lovecraft’s stories is anti-anthropocentrism, which is the belief that humanity is not the center of the universe and their values mean nothing, as well as a dislike of humankind in his stories. After gaining the knowledge that humanity isn’t the center of the universe as well as seeing the monstrous beings that wish to cause chaos onto the humankind the narrator or varies other characters are lead to insanity. Dagon: “the thing slid into view above the dark waters. Vast, Polyphemus-like, and loathsome, it darted like a stupendous monster of nightmares to the monolith, about which it flung its gigantic scaly arms, the while it bowed its hideous head and gave vent to certain measured sounds. I think I went mad then.”(page 8) “I cannot think of the deep sea without shuddering at the nameless things that may at this very moment be crawling and floundering on its slimy bed, worshipping their ancient stone idols and carving their own detestable likenesses on submarine obelisks of water-soaked

There is one known very influential writing style called Gothic Literature. It is not only considered to involve the horror or gothic element but is combined with romance, superstition, women in distress, omens, portents, vision and supernatural events to name a few (Beesly). The history and beginning of this era is not well known. From a few writers came this writing style that has impacted the world. A famous artists known for this type of writing is a man named Edgar Allan Poe. He wrote many short stories and poems that include horror, gothic, and romance just mentioned.

Horror stories focus on creating a feeling of fear and shock using many sources. There are many sources of horror besides monsters and there are more factors involved in making stories part of the horror genre, including supernatural elements, hubris, and setting. Stories including the “Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe, “The Outsider” by H.P. Lovecraft, and “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs include these elements.