Forbidden Knowledge: Examining Gnostic themes in the writings of H.P. Lovecraft

[H.P. Lovecraft2 0]

Don't know if this qualifies as a fan creation but I am planning on writing an extended paper or perhaps a complete book dedicated to Gnostic religious themes within the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Right now I'm in the middle of reading all of his stories and making notes, Ill post what I write here in case anyone is interested.
 

[Elderbree TM2 0]

Showing interest, so please do post

[H.P. Lovecraft2 0]

Glad to hear it, Im in the research phase right now

Already I am finding many interesting things

[amikezor 11]

 i am interested too. please do post it when it will be ready.

[FreeBird2 0]

Interesting indeed!

[H.P. Lovecraft2 0]

There are many interesting parallels not only in his writings but in his life also, his experiences in the real world definitely manifested in his writings, so the paper/book will deal with also, not just themes in his stories but his life, already you have a very odd similarity with the gnostic creation myth.

The feminine aspect of the divine gives birth to an "abortion" which she sees as a hideous being with the body of a snake and the head of a lion, repulsed by it, she casts it away from herself. This being then creates other beings to help him govern the universe, he then creates the world and human beings and puts his own thoughts into its design, but the beings who inhabit the world are ignorant. It goes on from there but, its interesting that Lovecraft's own mother once told a relative that she thought her son was ugly and hideous looking, of course Lovecraft himself goes on to create "other beings", he creates a world (or worlds) inhabited by creatures that are just as ignorant and abhorrent, who constantly strive for hidden knowledge, against the Demiurge and his "arhcons" (Lovecraft's creatures). In an odd way Lovecraft is himself a representation of the Demiurge.

 

Thats just one interesting instance of the applicability of Lovecraft's writings with the mythological motifs of Gnosticism, which of course I will give a brief descriptions of in the finished work.

No doubt this will spark some debate when finished
 

[TheDarkGeneral 0]

Certainly looks interesting. Tell us when you're finished!

[H.P. Lovecraft2 0]

Well I have only scratched the surface of Lovecraft's writings, haven't even gotten to the mythos stuff yet, I'm not only reading his stories but also his poems and whats available of his personal letters. So it will be a while I'm afraid

 

Ill post things as it goes along though

[Veet 3]

Reference Materials might be a better subforum for this topic.

[H.P. Lovecraft2 0]

I was thinking about posting it there too, but that seems more directed toward game play, references to playing the game etc.

[Veet 3]

Since the loss of the off topic thread I don't think there is a place that would 100% fit the theme, it just seemed like a reference type thing to me. No worries were ever it ends up, it's rare for a mod to say anything about an off topic post.