Analysis of Symbols and Motifs in H.P. Lovecraft's “The Rats in the Walls”

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of the symbols and motifs in H.P. Lovecraft's short story "The Rats in the Walls." It explores the themes of ancestral guilt, madness, and the horror of the unknown. The essay delves into the use of Gothic elements, the decay of aristocratic society, and the grotesque rituals practiced by the Delapore family. By examining key symbols such as the rats, the underground city, and the portrait of Delapore's ancestor, the essay highlights how Lovecraft creates a chilling atmosphere of cosmic horror and psychological terror.

Table of Contents

• Symbols
• The Rats
• The Subterranean City
• The Scratching Noises
• The Portrait of Delapore's Ancestor
• The Family
• Themes
• Ancestral Guilt
• Horror of the Unknown
• Decay of Aristocratic Society
• Gothic Imagery
• Cannibalism & the Delapore Family
• Legends and Myths Surrounding Exham Priory
• Secret Ceremonies in a Subterranean Temple
• Infestation of Rats
• Curse on the Land
• Secret Tunnels
• The Cat

Objectives and Key Themes

This analysis aims to explore the symbolic and thematic elements of H.P. Lovecraft's "The Rats in the Walls," emphasizing the impact of ancestral guilt, the horror of the unknown, and the degeneration of humanity. The analysis delves into the story's use of powerful symbols, including rats, the subterranean city, and the scratching noises, to create a chilling and otherworldly atmosphere.

• Ancestral Guilt and the Impact of the Past
• The Horror of the Unknown and the Unseen
• The Decay of Aristocratic Society and the Power of the Past
• Gothic Imagery and the Creation of a Haunting Atmosphere
• The Dark Side of Human Nature and the Descent into Savagery

Chapter Summaries

The story follows Delapore, who inherits his family's ancestral estate, Exham Priory. After hearing strange scratching noises, he becomes obsessed with finding their source, leading to the discovery of a hidden passageway and a terrifying truth about his family's history. They were involved in a cult worshipping subterranean creatures, and their practice of cannibalism reveals the dark side of human nature. Delapore descends into madness, culminating in the murder of his friend and his confinement in an insane asylum. The ending leaves a lasting impression, as the rats continue to torment him, highlighting the lasting impact of ancestral guilt and the inevitability of cosmic horror.

Keywords

The analysis focuses on the following keywords: ancestral guilt, horror of the unknown, gothic imagery, cannibalism, degeneration, decay, subterranean city, rats, scratching noises, and the Delapore family.

Details

• College: University of Frankfurt (Main) (English Studies)
• Course: The Beast Within
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Alina Isakow (Author)
• Publication Year: 2023
• Pages: 6
• Catalog Number: V1493313
• ISBN (eBook): 9783389052297
• ISBN (Book): 9783389052303
• Language: English
• Tags: H.P. Lovecraft Analysis The Rats in the Walls Symbolism Motifs Horror Gothic Ancestral Guilt Literaturanalyse Literaturgeschichte Intertextualität Narrative Structure Cultural Anthropology Symbol Theory