Theme of the Scientific Era

            Being born in the late 1800’s and growing to adult hood in the early 1900’s, Lovecraft experienced first had the change in the world as scientific and technological advances were made during the turn of the century. Seeing this, Lovecraft used the potential growing gap of man’s understanding of the universe with science and technology as a way of horror. This can be seen in both “From Beyond” and “Azathoth”.

            In his shorter story “Azathoth”, the main character is shown in a grim looking city peering outside his widow to view the stars. While the end of the story is bizarre, with the main character leaving is body to explore the cosmos, the description of the dirty and bustling city is a clear indication of Lovecraft’s view of the industrial age, as it seemingly takes away the “magic and mystery” of the times before it.

            Unlike the previous story, “From Beyond” delves into the scientific capability of the future, allowing us to gain access to knowledge that was once thought impossible to obtain. However, it takes a dark turn, with displaying how the advancement in scientific technology may cause catastrophic events. Ironically, only a few years after his death in 1937, the atom bomb would be created and used, marking a new, but terrifying age, of technology with the capability of wiping out humanity.