Case 2
… all I know of dreams seems to contradict flatly the “symbolism” theories of Freud.
It may be that others, with less sheer phantasy filling their minds, have dreams of the Freudian sort;
but it is very certain that I don’t. *
H. P. Lovecraft to Robert Bloch, 1933 August 4
From plot ideas to fantastic settings and frightful beings, many of Lovecraft’s tales were inspired by dreams. The letter and illustration in this case are part of a string of correspondence written over several months in which Lovecraft relates a memorable dream to both Robert Bloch and Clark Ashton Smith. Writing to Bloch, Lovecraft described both the content of the dream and his interest in using dreams as “weird fiction material.” His young mentee responded with a drawing of the figure that haunted Lovecraft’s sleep and a promise to compose a story about it.
Both Lovecraft’s own dreams and the atmospheric quality of stories by Lord Dunsany and Edgar Allan Poe, the progenitors of the modern horror and fantasy genres, influenced the author’s creation of the imaginary realms and other-worldly elements that became the defining characteristics of his eponymous genre of fiction—Lovecraftian horror. He regularly discussed these influences with those in his circle. A selection of Lovecraft’s work has been categorized as the “Dream Cycle.” This Cycle includes all of the tales that take place within the “Dreamlands”—alternate dimensions that can only be accessed through sleep.
- all I know of dreams seems to contradict flatly the ‘symbolism’ theories of Freud. It may be that others, with less sheer phantasy filling their minds, have dreams of the Freudian sort; but it is very certain that I don’t.
Case Contents:
- H. P. (Howard Phillips) Lovecraft (Providence, Rhode Island 1890-1937 Providence, Rhode Island)
Letter to Robert Bloch - MS.Lovecraft
- First and second page of a four-page letter written from Providence, Rhode Island. Text from page one reproduced.
- Robert Bloch (Chicago, Illinois 1917-1994 Los Angeles, California)
Dream Thing
Circa 1933
Crayon on paper
John Hay Library. Star Collection. RARE 3-S PS3523.O82 Z98 L7