Case 4
A vast ability of some sort is seething inside his head, + the results will be bound to come out. *
H. P. Lovecraft to J. Vernon Shea, 1933 September 25
Lovecraft’s correspondence ranges from brief notes to discursive multi-page letters. This twenty-four page exemplar covers topics such as his trip to Quebec, advice for a young author, and his strong social and political views. Such expansive thoughts and extended manuscripts were common to the author’s letter writing practice, and he often acknowledged his rambling nature. In response to newspaper clippings on Hitler and the political climate in Germany sent by J. Vernon Shea, Lovecraft expounds on his concerns with contemporary culture and multicultural ideals. Catching himself after nearly fifteen pages, he exclaims: “But hell! how I am filling up space!” and transitions to an appraisal of young Robert Bloch’s (Little Bho-Blôk) talent as both a writer and an artist in which he highlights a “diabolic crayon sketch” titled “Dine and Dance.”
In recent years, scholars and fans have increasingly engaged Lovecraft’s views on race and ethnicity in both his published and private writings. The author’s correspondence is integral to these investigations. In this letter to Shea, Lovecraft expresses his limited opposition to Hitler’s social and political policies. While Lovecraft believes that Hitler is an extremist, the author purports that the leader is “fighting against a real evil.” He asserts that successful civilizations are contingent upon segregation, and that some races are morphologically and psychologically more primitive than others. In the uncertainty and volatility leading up to the Second World War, Lovecraft’s prejudices are clearly on display.
- A vast ability of some sort is seething inside his head, + the results will be bound to come out.
Case Contents:
- Robert Bloch (Chicago, Illinois 1917-1994 Los Angeles, California)
Dine & Dance - RARE 3-S PS3523.O82 Z98 L7
- H. P. (Howard Phillips) Lovecraft (Providence, Rhode Island 1890-1937 Providence, Rhode Island)
Letter to J. Vernon Shea
1933 September 25
Autograph letter signed (twenty-four pages on twelve sheets)
John Hay Library. Howard P. Lovecraft Collection, 1894-1971. MS.Lovecraft
Sheets are headed with Roman numerals I-XII. Odd pages (one, three, five, …) displayed except for page eighteen (sheet IX).