The Tomb by H.P. Lovecraft (1927)
The story revolves around a group of men who are tasked with excavating an ancient tomb in Egypt. They uncover a series of cryptic symbols and artifacts that suggest the presence of a powerful and malevolent deity. As they delve deeper into the tomb, they begin to experience strange and terrifying occurrences, hinting at the existence of supernatural forces beyond human understanding. The group's leader is driven by a desire for knowledge and wealth, but his obsession ultimately leads to catastrophic consequences. The story builds towards a climactic confrontation with an otherworldly entity that defies human comprehension. Throughout the narrative, themes of hubris, ambition, and the dangers of delving into forbidden knowledge are explored. The tale culminates in a sense of existential horror, as the characters realize their insignificance in the face of ancient, eldritch powers.
By H.P. Lovecraft · First published 1927 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 4,607 words
First lines
In relating the circumstances which have led to my confinement within this refuge for the demented, I am aware that my present position will create a natural doubt of the authenticity of my narrative. It is an unfortunate fact that the bulk of humanity is too limited in its mental vision to weigh with patience and intelligence those isolated phenomena, seen and felt only by a psychologically sensitive few, which lie outside its common experience. Men of broader intellect know that there is no sharp distinction betwixt the real and the unreal; that all things appear as they do only by virtue of the delicate individual physical and mental media through which we are made conscious of them; but the prosaic materialism of the majority condemns as madness the flashes of super-sight which penetrate the common veil of obvious empiricism.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tomb is listed on Textopian as a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, dated 1927 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: 1927 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Fiction
- Length: 4,607 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Tomb 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 Tomb?
- 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?
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Genres
- Horror — The narrative explores themes of death, madness, and the supernatural, creating an atmosphere of dread and unease.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting features a dark, ancient tomb and elements of decay, typical of Gothic literature, emphasizing isolation and the macabre.
- Psychological Fiction — The protagonist's descent into madness and obsession with the tomb reflects deep psychological themes and the exploration of the mind.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes elements of the fantastical, such as visions and supernatural experiences that blur the line between reality and imagination.
Tags
Horror · Supernatural Fiction · Gothic Fiction · Cthulhu Mythos · Mythology · Occultism · Ancient Civilizations · Egyptian Mythology · Mystery · Thriller · Dark Fantasy · Cosmic Horror