The Case of Charles Dexter Ward

This story by Lovecraft is symbolic of the different roles obsession can cause you to fill. The story is about a man who becomes engrossed with the idea of bringing his relative back from the dead to learn about the history of his town. The protagonist shares a first name with Charlie, and the story is referenced every time Charlie seems to be falling into the rabbit hole of Lovecraft research. The relative brought back from the dead ends up making life very difficult for Charles Ward, just as Spinks does for Charlie. There is also a doctor who eventually defeats the ancestor and is compared to Marina, who finally sees through Spinks' lies.

The Night Ocean

This story by Lovecraft and Barlow symbolizes the isolation of those who do not feel as though they fit into their world. The story...