preview

The Call Of Cthulhu, By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Better Essays

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “The Birth-mark,” and H.P. Lovecraft’s horror story, “The Call of Cthulhu,” there are both similarities in themes and style, however, their characterization and narration is entirely different. This lends itself to creating two different short stories, both can be classified as horror or suspenseful. Hawthorne’s story, published earlier, shares a similar theme of humanity and union with “The Call of Cthulhu.” The documentary style of H.P. Lovecraft’s short story contrasts with the less personal feel of “The Birth mark.” Finally, the characterization of both the birth mark and Cthulhu create the stories and give them purpose and meaning, while acting as heavy symbols for the purpose of extending and building a fuller, more intense plot. Both “The Birth-Mark” and “The Call of Cthulhu” discuss how humanity is fickle and humans are not the ultimate authority in the world. In Hawthorne’s story, we are able to see how the attempt to control humanity is worthless as we are all doomed and mortal creatures. As Aylmer attempts to remove said humanity, he ultimately loses life as they are intertwined. Similarly, Lovecraft explores a world where humans are not the only thing in the world, nor the most powerful. Humans are shown as weak, especially in comparison to the creature Cthulhu. This is remarkably similar to the power that the birth mark exhibits over Aylmer as he allows it to encroach on his sanity. The birth mark and Cthulhu both

Get Access