"Dreams in the Witch House" is a horror short story written by H.P. Lovecraft in 1932. The story follows the character of Walter Gilman, a student of mathematics at Miskatonic University who rents a room in a boarding house in Arkham. This room is infamous for its dark history and strange occurrences. Gilman becomes fixated on a peculiar angle of the room, convinced it has sinister properties.
Gilman becomes fixated on a peculiar angle of the room, convinced it has sinister properties. This angle seems to connect to another dimension, inhabited by strange entities and an ancient witch named Keziah Mason. As the story progresses, Gilman experiences vivid and terrifying dreams in which he visits this alternate dimension.
Gay Geek Gasp! Is the gay superhero Wiccan coming to the MCU?
Lovers of all things queer and superheroic have launched a frenzy of speculation following the latest episode of WandaVision. The episode depicts the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olson) and her husband Vision (Paul Bettany) as having twin sons, Billy and Tommy. Keen followers of Marvel Comics know that Billy grows up to be the popular character, Wiccan.
In Marvel Comics, Wiccan possesses powers similar to his mother: the ability to warp reality, fly and use telepathy. He joins up with the Avengers, and later, as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. The character’s immense popularity, however, comes from his relationship with the shape-shifter Hulkling: the two are one of the most prominent queer couples in Marvel continuity, having married in 2020.
This week’s WandaVision planted seeds of a future Wiccan appearance, having introduced the twins. On the other hand, the plot of the series involves heavily warped reality: it’s not entirely clear what’s real and what’s not. Fans of the comics will also note that Billy and Tommy were also erased from existence, following a similar reality-warping plot in the crossover arc House of M. In that story, Scarlet Witch warps reality into a “perfect” world following a nervous breakdown. Several other heroes led by Wolverine and Cyclops of the X-Men retain memories of the previous reality, and confront Scarlet Witch, who then erases mutant superheroes–and her children–from existence.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe and its television counterparts have endured criticism for a lack of LGBTQ representation over its tenure which began in 2008. Studio boss Kevin Feige has reassured fans that the film universe will soon introduce several prominent queer characters beginning with the film The Eternals, which is scheduled for release later this year.
Murphy’s Multiverse shared an interesting theory for an upcoming addition to Agatha: Coven of Chaos.
In his dreams, Gilman witnesses uncanny rituals performed by otherworldly creatures and participates in bizarre ceremonies. He also encounters Mason and her familiar, Brown Jenkin, a small creature with a human face and rat-like body. These dreams become increasingly horrifying, blurring the line between dream and reality. As Gilman delves deeper into the mysteries of the Witch House, he discovers that it is a place where dimensions intersect and ancient knowledge is preserved. He learns about the witch's pact with the entities from beyond and her dark rituals involving human sacrifice. Driven by fear and desperation, Gilman considers leaving the room and abandoning his academic pursuits. However, the room's angle continues to haunt him even outside of his dreams, trapping him within its supernatural influence. Ultimately, Gilman's fate is sealed as he succumbs to the witch's power and becomes a permanent resident of the dimensions beyond, joining the ancient beings in their terrifying rituals. "Dreams in the Witch House" explores Lovecraft's recurring themes of forbidden knowledge, cosmic horror, and an indifferent universe ruled by ancient and malevolent forces. The story also touches upon the fragility of human sanity and the blurring of reality and the dream world. Through vivid descriptions, Lovecraft creates a palpable sense of dread and unease, instilling a lasting impact on those who read it..
Reviews for "The Cosmic Mythology of Arkham in "Dreams in the Witch House" by H.P. Lovecraft"
1. Jane - 2/5
I was highly disappointed with "Dreams in the Witch House" by H.P. Lovecraft. While the story had an intriguing concept, the execution fell flat. The narrative was confusing and lacked clarity, making it difficult to understand the events and their significance. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and failed to evoke any empathy or interest. Overall, this story lacked the depth and captivating writing style that Lovecraft is known for, making it a tedious read.
2. Mark - 1/5
"Dreams in the Witch House" failed to deliver any sense of horror or suspense that I associate with H.P. Lovecraft's works. The plot felt disjointed and lacked cohesiveness, leaving me confused and uninterested. The pacing was slow, and the story seemed to drag on without any real purpose. The characters were bland and forgettable, with no development or depth. Overall, this story was a letdown and did not live up to the reputation of Lovecraft's other works.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I found "Dreams in the Witch House" to be an underwhelming read. The story had potential, but it felt rushed and poorly developed. The writing style was choppy and lacked the atmospheric descriptions that typically immerse me in Lovecraft's stories. The characters were dull and lacked complexity, making it difficult to feel invested in their fate. Furthermore, the conclusion left me unsatisfied and wanting more. Overall, this was not one of Lovecraft's stronger works, and I would not recommend it to fans of his other stories.