The Shunned House by H.P. Lovecraft

Name: The Shunned House
Author: H.P. Lovecraft

The story revolves around a mysterious and ancient house on Benefit Street in Providence, Rhode Island, which has been the site of numerous unexplained occurrences and deaths throughout its history. The narrator, who is also a scholar, becomes fascinated with the house's dark past and decides to investigate further. He discovers that the house was once occupied by a family known for their eccentric behavior and alleged connections to witchcraft. The narrator believes that the house may be haunted by malevolent spirits or supernatural entities, which have been awakened by some unknown force. As he delves deeper into the mystery, the narrator experiences strange and terrifying events, including unexplained noises, movements, and visions. He becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the house's dark history, despite the risks to his own sanity and safety. The story builds towards a climactic confrontation between the narrator and the malevolent forces that inhabit the house, which ultimately leads to a tragic outcome for the protagonist.

By H.P. Lovecraft · First published 1928 · Genre: Horror, Gothic, Weird Fiction · 5 chapters · 11,955 words

First lines

From even the greatest of horrors irony is seldom absent. Sometimes it enters directly into the composition of the events, while sometimes it relates only to their fortuitous position among persons and places. The latter sort is splendidly exemplified by a case in the ancient city of Providence, where in the late forties Edgar Allan Poe used to sojourn often during his unsuccessful wooing of the gifted poetess, Mrs. Whitman. Poe generally stopped at the Mansion House in Benefit Street -- the renamed Golden Ball Inn whose roof has sheltered Washington, Jefferson, and Lafayette -- and his favorite walk led northward along the same street to Mrs. Whitman's home and the neighboring hillside churchyard of St. John's, whose hidden expanse of Eighteenth Century gravestones had for him a peculiar fascination.

What this Textopian page supports

The Shunned House is listed on Textopian as a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, dated 1928 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: 1928 CE
Language: English
Genres: Horror, Gothic, Weird Fiction, Supernatural, Mystery
Length: 11,955 words
Structure: 5 chapters, 95 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Horror — The narrative centers around a haunted house with a history of mysterious deaths and supernatural occurrences, creating an atmosphere of dread and terror.
Gothic — The story features a decaying, antiquated house with a dark history, evoking themes of decay, madness, and the supernatural typical of Gothic literature.
Weird Fiction — The plot involves inexplicable phenomena and cosmic horror, elements characteristic of weird fiction, challenging the boundaries of reality.
Supernatural — The presence of otherworldly entities and unexplained supernatural events are central to the story's conflict and resolution.