The Statement of Randolph Carter
The story revolves around Randolph Carter's recurring dream of a mystical realm known as Ulthar, where he seeks to escape the mundane world and find eternal youth. He is aided by a mysterious figure who claims to be his friend from childhood, but whose true intentions are unclear. As Carter navigates this fantastical world, he encounters various surreal landscapes and beings, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
By H.P. Lovecraft · First published 1920 · Genre: Horror, Weird Fiction, Gothic Fiction · 2,798 words
First lines
I repeat to you, gentlemen, that your inquisition is fruitless. Detain me here forever if you will; confine or execute me if you must have a victim to propitiate the illusion you call justice; but I can say no more than I have said already. Everything that I can remember, I have told with perfect candour. Nothing has been distorted or concealed, and if anything remains vague, it is only because of the dark cloud which has come over my mind-that cloud and the nebulous nature of the horrors which brought it upon me.
What this Textopian page supports
The Statement of Randolph Carter 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: Horror, Weird Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction
- Length: 2,798 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Statement of Randolph Carter 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 Statement of Randolph Carter?
- How does this short story by H.P. Lovecraft fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Shunned House by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Haunter Of The Dark by H. P. Lovecraft
- Hypnos by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Thing On The Doorstep by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Rats In The Walls by H. P. Lovecraft
- In The Vault by H. P. Lovecraft
Genres
- Horror — The narrative centers on themes of fear, the unknown, and existential dread, typical of horror literature.
- Weird Fiction — The story incorporates elements of the supernatural and the bizarre, characteristic of weird fiction.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting in a decaying cemetery and the exploration of death and decay align with gothic themes.
- Mystery — The protagonist's quest to uncover the fate of his friend introduces a mystery element.
Tags
Cthulhu Mythos · Fantasy · Horror · Supernatural Fiction · Short Story · Mystery · Occultism · Dreams · Psychological Horror · Atmosphere of Dread · Cosmic Horror · Sanity-Blasting Terror