Polaris by H.P. Lovecraft (1920)
The story revolves around a man who becomes obsessed with the North Star and its supposed connection to an ancient deity. He delves into forbidden knowledge, making a pact with a malevolent entity in exchange for power and insight. The narrative explores themes of cosmic horror, madness, and the insignificance of humanity in the face of eldritch powers.
By H.P. Lovecraft · First published 1920 · Genre: Cosmic Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction · 1,706 words
First lines
Into the north window of my chamber glows the Pole Star with uncanny light. All through the long hellish hours of blackness it shines there. And in the autumn of the year, when the winds from the north curse and whine, and the red-leaved trees of the swamp mutter things to one another in the small hours of the morning under the horned waning moon, I sit by the casement and watch that star. Down from the heights reels the glittering Cassiopeia as the hours wear on, while Charles' Wain lumbers up from behind the vapour-soaked swamp trees that sway in the night-wind. Just before dawn Arcturus winks ruddily from above the cemetery on the low hillock, and Coma Berenices shimmers weirdly afar off in the mysterious east; but still the Pole Star leers down from the same place in the black vault, winking hideously like an insane watching eye which strives to convey some strange message, yet recalls nothing save that it once had a message to convey. Sometimes, when it is cloudy, I can sleep.
What this Textopian page supports
Polaris is listed on Textopian as a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: H.P. Lovecraft
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Cosmic Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 1,706 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Polaris by H.P. Lovecraft
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Polaris?
- How does this short story by H.P. Lovecraft fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Cosmic Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Tomb by H. P. Lovecraft
- What The Moon Brings by H. P. Lovecraft
- From Beyond by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Descendant by H. P. Lovecraft
- The History Of The Necronomicon by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Thing On The Doorstep by H. P. Lovecraft
Genres
- Cosmic Horror — The narrative explores themes of existential dread and the insignificance of humanity in the face of incomprehensible cosmic forces.
- Fantasy — The story features an imaginary world with its own geography, inhabitants, and mythos, including a city and its unique culture.
- Science Fiction — Elements of speculative fiction are present, particularly in the portrayal of celestial bodies and their influence on the protagonist's reality.
- Gothic Fiction — The atmosphere is imbued with a sense of dread and the supernatural, typical of Gothic literature.
Tags
Cosmic Horror · Supernatural Fiction · Mystery · Thriller · Dark Fantasy · Occultism · Ancient Deities · Mythology · Cthulhu Mythos · Lovecraftian Horror · Atmospheric Setting · Isolation