The Cats of Ulthar by H.P. Lovecraft
In a small village, cats are revered and protected by the villagers who believe they possess mystical powers. The story revolves around an old man who kills his cat, which leads to severe consequences for him and the village.
By H.P. Lovecraft · First published 1920 · Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Gothic · 1,493 words
First lines
It is said that in Ulthar, which lies beyond the river Skai, no man may kill a cat; and this I can verily believe as I gaze upon him who sitteth purring before the fire. For the cat is cryptic, and close to strange things which men cannot see. He is the soul of antique Aegyptus, and bearer of tales from forgotten cities in Meroë and Ophir. He is the kin of the jungle's lords, and heir to the secrets of hoary and sinister Africa. The Sphinx is his cousin, and he speaks her language; but he is more ancient than the Sphinx, and remembers that which she hath forgotten.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cats of Ulthar 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: Fantasy, Horror, Gothic, Mythology, Adventure
- Length: 1,493 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Cats of Ulthar 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 The Cats of Ulthar?
- How does this short story by H.P. Lovecraft fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Nameless City by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Temple by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Strange High House In The Mist by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Haunter Of The Dark by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Curse Of Yig by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Doom That Came To Sarnath by H. P. Lovecraft
Genres
- Fantasy — The story features magical elements, such as the mysterious disappearance and return of the cats, and the supernatural aspects of the dark wanderers.
- Horror — The narrative includes themes of death, fear, and the sinister actions of the old couple, creating a chilling atmosphere.
- Gothic — The setting and tone evoke a sense of decay and darkness, typical of Gothic literature, with an emphasis on the eerie and macabre.
- Mythology — The story incorporates mythological elements, particularly in the portrayal of cats as mystical beings connected to ancient lore.
Tags
Fantasy · Short Story · Anthology · Cats · Magic · Supernatural · Mystery · Horror · Dark Fantasy · Mythos · Weird Fiction · Ancient Civilization