Types of fear: Defeat

Like most horror protagonists, Lovecraft's characters often fail in their adventure or are changed forever. Looking back at Lovecraft's life, I've noticed a theme of defeat in his life. His father was whisked away to an asylum and his grandfather died when Lovecraft was still a teenager. This theme pervades his work. Perhaps we are unable to stop things like the march of time or the inevitably of death. Look at Call of Cthulhu. Our protagonist Thurston is unable to stop Cthulhu and dies at the hands of the cult. A common theme in horror, but the defeat extends beyond his own death. The fate of the world could rest with the knowledge Thurston might be able to provide, yet he hopes that his manuscript and discoveries will die with him. But why? Is there no hope to fight against these monsters? Love craft is saying there is no hope. How do you fight a god? All we can do is wait. The ultimate defeat.

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