Where can I find this quote, and what could it have inspired?
October 4, 2010 2:13 PM Subscribe
Help me locate a quote by Lovecraft (I think?) describing a dream he had.
I remember reading a quote by H. P. Lovecraft (I think) about a dream he had which I assume was the basis for one or more of his stories. I very vaguely remember it describing a person or being whom a great number of people became intensely interested in seeing (or hearing speak?), and that the dreamer (Lovecraft?) felt dread/horror about what would happen at or as a result of the "meeting/event." Sorry, I know it's vague, but I swear I read about this a year or two ago on the web, and no amount of searching has turned it up.
I suppose a secondary question could also concern what specific story or stories it might have inspired (I haven't read much Lovecraft). I'm going to feel silly if I happen to be completely misremembering this whole thing.
I remember reading a quote by H. P. Lovecraft (I think) about a dream he had which I assume was the basis for one or more of his stories. I very vaguely remember it describing a person or being whom a great number of people became intensely interested in seeing (or hearing speak?), and that the dreamer (Lovecraft?) felt dread/horror about what would happen at or as a result of the "meeting/event." Sorry, I know it's vague, but I swear I read about this a year or two ago on the web, and no amount of searching has turned it up.
I suppose a secondary question could also concern what specific story or stories it might have inspired (I haven't read much Lovecraft). I'm going to feel silly if I happen to be completely misremembering this whole thing.
Best answer: Sounds like the basis for Nyarlathotep, probably from his Commonplace book.
posted by Artw at 2:26 PM on October 4, 2010
posted by Artw at 2:26 PM on October 4, 2010
Response by poster: Bingo! Thanks, you're both right. Here's the quote I was looking for:
I had never heard the name NYARLATHOTEP before, but seemed to understand the allusion. Nyarlathotep was a kind of itinerant showman or lecturer who held forth in public halls and aroused widespread fear and discussion with his exhibitions. These exhibitions consisted of two parts — first, a horrible — possibly prophetic — cinema reel; and later some extraordinary experiments with scientific and electrical apparatus. As I received the letter, I seemed to recall that Nyarlathotep was already in Providence.... I seemed to remember that persons had whispered to me in awe of his horrors, and warned me not to go near him. But Loveman's dream letter decided me.... As I left the house I saw throngs of men plodding through the night, all whispering affrightedly and bound in one direction. I fell in with them, afraid yet eager to see and hear the great, the obscure, the unutterable Nyarlathotep.
posted by the other side at 2:33 PM on October 4, 2010
I had never heard the name NYARLATHOTEP before, but seemed to understand the allusion. Nyarlathotep was a kind of itinerant showman or lecturer who held forth in public halls and aroused widespread fear and discussion with his exhibitions. These exhibitions consisted of two parts — first, a horrible — possibly prophetic — cinema reel; and later some extraordinary experiments with scientific and electrical apparatus. As I received the letter, I seemed to recall that Nyarlathotep was already in Providence.... I seemed to remember that persons had whispered to me in awe of his horrors, and warned me not to go near him. But Loveman's dream letter decided me.... As I left the house I saw throngs of men plodding through the night, all whispering affrightedly and bound in one direction. I fell in with them, afraid yet eager to see and hear the great, the obscure, the unutterable Nyarlathotep.
posted by the other side at 2:33 PM on October 4, 2010
The H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast did a pretty good show about Nyarlathotep and The Crawling Chaos, a linked shorter peice, that you may find interesting. Kenneth Hite guest stars.
posted by Artw at 7:37 PM on October 4, 2010
posted by Artw at 7:37 PM on October 4, 2010
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The quote you're referring to is pretty chilling:
"Don't fail to see Nyarlathotep if he comes to Providence. He is horrible — horrible beyond anything you can imagine — but wonderful. He haunts one for hours afterward. I am still shuddering at what he showed."
posted by dismal at 2:24 PM on October 4, 2010