The present study compared selected works of H.P. Lovecraft and China Miéville in terms of the representations of monster figures by creating a theoretical framework using Lovecraft’s “Five Definitive Elements of Weird Literature”. A comparative foundation was first laid down by examining the etymology of the word monster throughout history, as well as touching upon Saussure's theories of language. Following this, an intrinsic analysis of Lovecraft’s three selected works was made. The analysis highlighted the importance of factors such as cosmicism, and fear of the unknown, as well as the importance of human insignificance in the narration. Additionally, the uncanny in both Jentsch’s and Freud’s definition was included for a later comparison. The lack of context in details regarding the monsters was also highlighted in accordance with the established importance of fear of the unknown in Weird Literature. Then the same analysis was done on Miéville after a glimpse of his past with tabletop games such as “Dungeons and Dragons”, and the importance worldbuilding has for him. Following an analysis of Bas-Lag, a comparison was made based on the five definitive elements by first interpretating them on what could they refer to, and how the two works handled them in this context. The results from examination through the monster representation, cosmicism, fear of the unknown and the five elements helped the study argue the point that; The monster representation functioned as the source of paranoia and uncanny in both the works. Yet, while Lovecraftian narrative’s monsters achieved the feeling of uncanny by presenting a small piece of the whole; Miéville’s Bas-Lag did the same with a mirrored approach of a key piece missing from the whole.
Eser Adı (dc.title) | Comparison of monstrous figures in the works of H.P Lovecraft and China Miéville through Lovecraft’s five definitive elements |
Yazar [Asıl] (dc.creator.author) | Özcan, Mithat Arca |
Yazar Departmanı (dc.creator.department) | Yeditepe University Graduate School of Social Sciences |
Yazar Departmanı (dc.creator.department) | Yeditepe University Graduate School of Social Sciences Master’s Program in English Language and Literature |
Yayın Tarihi (dc.date.issued) | 2023 |
Yayın Turu [Akademik] (dc.type) | preprint |
Yayın Türü [Ortam] (dc.format) | application/pdf |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Cosmicism |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Cosmic horror |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Fear of the unknown |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Human insignificance |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Lack of context |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Uncanny |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Worldbuilding |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Kozmiklik |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Kozmik korku |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Bilinmeyenin korkusu |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | İnsanın önemsizliği |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Bağlam eksikliği |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Esrarengiz |
Konu Başlıkları [Genel] (dc.subject) | Dünya İnşası |
Yayıncı (dc.publisher) | Yeditepe University Academic and Open Access Information System |
Dil (dc.language.iso) | eng |
Özet Bilgisi (dc.description.abstract) | The present study compared selected works of H.P. Lovecraft and China Miéville in terms of the representations of monster figures by creating a theoretical framework using Lovecraft’s “Five Definitive Elements of Weird Literature”. A comparative foundation was first laid down by examining the etymology of the word monster throughout history, as well as touching upon Saussure's theories of language. Following this, an intrinsic analysis of Lovecraft’s three selected works was made. The analysis highlighted the importance of factors such as cosmicism, and fear of the unknown, as well as the importance of human insignificance in the narration. Additionally, the uncanny in both Jentsch’s and Freud’s definition was included for a later comparison. The lack of context in details regarding the monsters was also highlighted in accordance with the established importance of fear of the unknown in Weird Literature. Then the same analysis was done on Miéville after a glimpse of his past with tabletop games such as “Dungeons and Dragons”, and the importance worldbuilding has for him. Following an analysis of Bas-Lag, a comparison was made based on the five definitive elements by first interpretating them on what could they refer to, and how the two works handled them in this context. The results from examination through the monster representation, cosmicism, fear of the unknown and the five elements helped the study argue the point that; The monster representation functioned as the source of paranoia and uncanny in both the works. Yet, while Lovecraftian narrative’s monsters achieved the feeling of uncanny by presenting a small piece of the whole; Miéville’s Bas-Lag did the same with a mirrored approach of a key piece missing from the whole. |
Kayıt Giriş Tarihi (dc.date.accessioned) | 2024-01-18 |
Açık Erişim Tarihi (dc.date.available) | 2024-01-18 |
Haklar (dc.rights) | Yeditepe University Academic and Open Access Information System |
Erişim Hakkı (dc.rights.access) | Open Access |
Telif Hakkı (dc.rights.holder) | Unless otherwise stated, copyrights belong to Yeditepe University. Usage permissions are specified in the Open Access System, and "InC-NC/1.0" and "by-nc-nd/4.0" are as stated. |
Telif Hakkı Url (dc.rights.uri) | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 |
Telif Hakkı Url (dc.rights.uri) | https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-NC/1.0/?language=en |
Açıklama [Genel] (dc.description) | Final published version |
Açıklama [Not] (dc.description.note) | Note: This preprint reports new research that has not been certified by peer review and should not be used as established information without consulting multiple experts in the field. |
Tanım Koleksiyon Bilgisi (dc.description.collectioninformation) | This item is part of the preprint collection made available through Yeditepe University library. For your questions, our contact address is openaccess@yeditepe.edu.tr |
Tek Biçim Adres (dc.identifier.uri) | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11831/8194 |