An Integral Analysis of the Life and Works of Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937) A Thesis Submitted to the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts In the Department of Sociology University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon By S. P. Schultz © Copyright S.P. Schultz, October, 2019. All rights reserved. PERMISSION TO USE In presenting this thesis/dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Postgraduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan, I agree that the Libraries of this University may make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for copying of this thesis/dissertation in any manner, in whole or in part, for scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor or professors who supervised my thesis/dissertation work or, in their absence, by the Head of the Department or the Dean of the College in which my thesis work was done. It is understood that any copying or publication or use of this thesis/dissertation or parts thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood that due recognition shall be given to me and to the University of Saskatchewan in any scholarly use which may be made of any material in my thesis/dissertation. DISCLAIMER Reference in this thesis/dissertation to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the University of Saskatchewan. The views and opinions of the author expressed herein do not state or reflect those of the University of Saskatchewan and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Requests for permission to copy or to make other uses of materials in this thesis/dissertation in whole or part should be addressed to: Head of the Sociology Department 1019-9 Campus Drive University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N5A5 Canada OR Dean College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies University of Saskatchewan 116 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C9 Canada i THE ABSTRACT Horror fiction acts as a reflection of social crises and can therefore be utilized within sociological research to understand sociocultural change. As contemporary horror fiction writer Stephen King (1981/2010) suggests “we make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones” (13). Hence, the purpose of this thesis is to employ the theoretical and methodological insights of renowned sociologist Pitirim Aleksandrovič Sorokin (1889- 1968) to conceptualize the biography and works of horror fiction icon Howard Philips Lovecraft (1890-1937), as a sociocultural phenomenon. Moreover, it aims to elucidate the enduring relevance of Sorokin’s analytical sociological contribution. These two writers are bona fide creative geniuses, who had a meaningful and significant influence on a plurality of scientific, artistic, and humanistic fields. While they are essentially diametrically opposed personas, when taken together, their perspectives become a harmonious dynamic dyad, or a unity and “the reconciliation of opposites” (Sorokin 1963: 374). As such, this thesis will concern itself with the central research question: How might Lovecraft's life and creative output, conceptualized as a continuation of his weltanschauung, be used to demonstrate, in his ideological, material, and behavioural culture, the sociocultural shifts as identified by Sorokin? Therefore, in order to accomplish this research objective, I will be drawing on several biographies on Lovecraft and his fiction, employing Sorokin's "Integral Method and Methodology" as an analytical heuristic. Thus, I will argue that Lovecraft is successful in his pursuit of genuine creative expression and, indeed, achieves an integral perspective. The study consists of 6 chapters. In chapter 1, a brief introduction will provide a summary of the substantive elements of Lovecraft and Sorokin perspectives. Chapter 2 will provide an overview of Sorokin’s perspective, regarding sociology as a generalizing discipline, which will be applied to phenomenon of horror, demonstrating the continued relevance of Sorokin's understanding. In chapter 3, Sorokin’s sociological theoretical perspective will be described and then united with Lovecraft’s fictional theoretical topologies, producing a theoretical synthesis. Chapter 4 will conceptualize the basic tenants of Sorokin’s “Integral Method and Methodology” and explain how it will be applied to Lovecraft, as a means of conducting an integral analysis of his life and works. In chapter 5, the analysis itself, will chart Lovecraft's life trajectory, as he forms the basis of his ideological, material, and behavioural culture, with his works being discharged into the human universe. Finally, chapter 6 will help bring my discussion to a close, summarizing the results of the analysis, and pointing to a few fruitful potential paths for future research. In sum, this work will shine light on the profound relationships between historical crisis, modern crisis, and their relation to sociocultural change. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS An eldritch exaltation for the enchanting guidance of my Committee: Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Jennifer Poudrier Co-Supervisors: Dr. Laura Wright, Dr. Pitirim A. Sorokin (in spirit) Personal thanks to: All those who have the (mis)fortune of crossing paths with me on my journey so-far. My mother, father, brother (the girl too I guess), dog, cat, and turtle, as well friends and the like. A special shout out to my Auntie Dianne, for being the first person I ever saw science. And, of course, the University of Saskatchewan Sociology Department, a few Political Scientists, and the University of Saskatchewan Archives, specifically with regards to the Sorokin Collection. Nietzsche too. A singular sacred thanks reserved for: My grandmother, Blanche Anne Raskob, an "Old Farm Girl" Heaven take her home, country roads. iii DEDICATION Dedicated to the dynamics of life, the lives we move and the lives that move us… iv TABLE OF CONTENTS PERMISSION TO USE ................................................................................................................................................................ i DISCLAIMER ................................................................................................................................................................................ i THE ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................................. v List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................................................ vii Lists of Figures ....................................................................................................................................................................... viii 1. Chapter I: The Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 The Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Are Sociology and Literature Incommensurable? And Steven King’s “Cognitive Horror Praxis” .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Who is Howard Philips Lovecraft? ....................................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Lovecraft’s “Cosmism” and Sorokin’s “Integralism,” A Unity and Reconciliation of Opposites .. 9 1.5 The Question and Contribution ........................................................................................................................... 11 2. Chapter II: Horror Defined and Applied to the Social Universe, with Recourse to Recent Scholarly Literature on the Horror(s) of Our Age ........................................................................................................................ 13 2.1 The Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 2.2 Sorokin’s Standpoint on Sociology as a Science ........................................................................................... 13 2.3 Perspectives on the Distinction Between Fear and Horror ..................................................................... 14 2.4 The Sociology of Yesterday, Today, and Horror ........................................................................................... 16 2.5 The Summary .............................................................................................................................................................