Lovecraftian Reasons with Charles Dexter Ward

Often the reason behind Lovecraft's characters' motivations is a desire to have answers which in turn pulls at the threads of reality. Bit that's as deep as some characters go. I've been finishing up Charles Dexter Ward and I'm at loss for what the villain wants. Ward's ancestors, Joseph Curwen doesn't seek out these dangerous magics for any reason other than because he can. He's already blessed with long life but why dive deeper into the darkness? Perhaps he wants more? More what? More knowledge? People often seek knowledge for a reason. "I did this because blah, blah, blah." A reason, a motivation is needed in today's stories. This ambiguity can add a layer to the fear. You wonder, "for what purposes did these men practice this evil?" Perhaps it is out of our realm to understand their motives. 

That's what drives me nuts, i always want an answer but I forget that subtlety is sometimes the better answer. 

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